It is better to be able neither to read nor write than to be able to do nothing else.

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.

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

Zeal will do more than knowledge.

I like a friend the better for having faults that one can talk about.

Knowledge is pleasure as well as power.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.