To get others to come into our ways of thinking, we must go over to theirs; and it is necessary to follow, in order to lead.

The ignorance of the world leaves one at the mercy of its malice.

The best way to make ourselves agreeable to others is by seeming to think them so. If we appear fully sensible of their good qualities they will not complain of the want of them in us.

So I have loitered my life away, reading books, looking at pictures, going to plays, hearing, thinking, writing on what pleased me best. I have wanted only one thing to make me happy, but wanting that have wanted everything.

The art of pleasing consists in being pleased.

A lively blockhead in company is a public benefit. Silence or dulness by the side of folly looks like wisdom.

Spleen can subsist on any kind of food.