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.

One is always more vexed at losing a game of any sort by a single hole or ace, than if one has never had a chance of winning it.

Perhaps the best cure for the fear of death is to reflect that life has a beginning as well as an end.

The worst old age is that of the mind.

It is hard for any one to be an honest politician who is not born and bred a Dissenter.

Cunning is the art of concealing our own defects, and discovering other people's weaknesses.

The imagination is of so delicate a texture that even words wound it.