The world dread nothing so much as being convinced of their errors.

A man's reputation is not in his own keeping, but lies at the mercy of the profligacy of others. Calumny requires no proof. The throwing out [of] malicious imputations against any character leaves a stain, which no after-refutation can wipe out. To create an unfavorable impression, it is not necessary that certain things should be true, but that they have been said. The imagination is of so delicate a texture that even words wound it.

The most phlegmatic dispositions often contain the most inflammable spirits, as fire is struck from the hardest flints.

Love turns, with a little indulgence, to indifference or disgust; hatred alone is immortal.

There is nothing more likely to drive a man mad, than the being unable to get rid of the idea of the distinction between right and wrong, and an obstinate, constitutional preference of the true to the agreeable.

I do not think there is anything deserving the name of society to be found out of London.

We must overact our part in some measure, in order to produce any effect at all.