Few things tend more to alienate friendship than a want of punctuality in our engagements. I have known the breach of a promise to dine or sup to break up more than one intimacy.

The assumption of merit is easier, less embarrassing, and more effectual than the actual attainment of it.

Genius only leaves behind it the monuments of its strength.

Conceit is vanity driven from all other shifts, and forced to appeal to itself for admiration.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

The best way to make ourselves agreeable to others is by seeming to think them so. If we appear fully sensible of their good qualities they will not complain of the want of them in us.

People do not seem to talk for the sake of expressing their opinions, but to maintain an opinion for the sake of talking.