To think ill of mankind and not wish ill to them, is perhaps the highest wisdom and virtue.

We are never so much disposed to quarrel with others as when we are dissatisfied with ourselves.

To expect an author to talk as he writes is ridiculous; or even if he did you would find fault with him as a pedant.

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

Malice often takes the garb of truth.

Greatness is great power, producing great effects. It is not enough that a man has great power in himself, he must shew it to all the world in a way that cannot be hid or gainsaid.

It might be argued, that to be a knave is the gift of fortune, but to play the fool to advantage it is necessary to be a learned man.