Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble.

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

Many leave the labours of half their life to their executors and to chance, because they will not send them abroad unfinished, and are unable to finish them, having prescribed to themselves such a degree of exactness as human diligence can scarcely ontain.

That there is something in advice very useful and salutary, seems to be equally confessed on all hands; since even those that reject it, allow for the most part that rejection to be wrong, but charge the fault upon the unskilful manner in which it is given; they admit the efficacy of the medicine, but abhor the nauseousness of the vehicle.

Good breeding consists in having no particular mark of any profession, but a general elegance of manners.

There are few minds to which tyranny is not delightful.

In sovereignty there are no gradations.