I doubt if there ever was a man who was not gratified by being told that he was liked by the women.

The whole power of cunning is privative; to say nothing, and to do nothing , is the utmost of its reach. Yet men, thus narrow by nature and mean by art, are sometimes able to rise by the miscarriages of bravery and the openness of integrity, and, watching failures and snatching opportunities, obtain advantages which belong to higher characters.

Actions are visible, though motives are secret.

A writer who obtains his full purpose loses himself in his own lustre.

General irregularities are known in time to remedy themselves. By the constitution of ancient Egypt, the priesthood was continually increasing, till at length there was no people beside themselves; the establishment was then dissolved, and the number of priests was reduced and limited. Thus among us, writers will, perhaps, be multiplied, till no readers will be found, and then the ambition of writing must necessarily cease.

Let us be quick to repent of injuries while repentance may not be a barren anguish.

A man is in general better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table, than when his wife talks Greek.