The difference between the vanity of a Frenchman and an Englishman seems to be this: the one thinks everything right that is French, the other thinks everything wrong that is not English.

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.

It is not fit that every man should travel; it makes a wise man better, and a fool worse.

The diffusion of taste is not the same thing as the improvement of taste.

Familiarity confounds all traits of distinction; interest and prejudice take away the power of judging.

There are many who talk on from ignorance rather than from knowledge, and who find the former an inexhaustible fund of conversation.

The most insignificant people are the most apt to sneer at others. They are safe from reprisals. And have no hope of rising in their own self esteem but by lowering their neighbors.