I have no more pleasure in hearing a man attempting wit and failing, than in seeing a man trying to leap over a ditch and tumbling into it

As any custom is disused, the words that expressed it must perish with it; as any opinion grows popular, it will innovate speech in the same proportion as it alters practice.

We consider ourselves as defective in memory, either because we remember less than we desire, or less than we suppose others to remember.

We have less reason to be surprised or offended when we find others differ from us in opinion, because we very often differ from ourselves.

Our senses, our appetite, and our passions are our lawful and faithful guides in things that relate solely to this life.

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.

Every man speaks and writes with intent to be understood; and it can seldom happen but he that understands himself might convey his notions to another, if, content to be understood, he did not seek to be admired.