Of all vices, drinking is the most incompatible with greatness.

We are like the herb which flourisheth most when it is most trampled on.

Affection can withstand very severe storms of vigor, but not a long polar frost of indifference.

A fool's wild speech confounds the wise.

The schoolmaster is termed, classically, Ludi Magister, because he deprives boys of their play.

A Finnan haddock has a relish of a peculiar and delicate flavour, inimitable on any other coast than that of Aberdeenshire. Some of our Edinburgh philosophers tried to produce their equal in vain. I was one of a party at dinner where the philosophical haddocks were placed in competition with the genuine Finnan fish. These were served round without distinguishing whence they came; but only one gentleman out of twelve present espoused the cause of philosophy.

Now, it is well known, that a man may with more impunity be guilty of an actual breach either of real good breeding or of good morals, than appear ignorant of the most minute point of fashionable etiquette.