A certain excess of animal spirits with thoughtless good-humor will often make more enemies than the most deliberate spite and ill-nature, which is on its guard, and strikes with caution and safety.

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

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

Cowardice is not synonymous with prudence. It often happens that the better part of discretion is valor.

The world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.

Do not quarrel with the world too soon; for, bad as it may be, it is the best we have to live in, here. If railing would have made it better, it would have been reformed long ago.

Affectation is as necessary to the mind as dress is to the body.