An orator can hardly get beyond commonplaces: if he does he gets beyond his hearers.

Those who make their dress a principal part of themselves, will, in general, become of no more value than their dress.

Our notions with respect to the importance of life, and our attachment to it, depend on a principle which has very little to do with its happiness or its misery. The love of life is, in general, the effect not of our enjoyments, but of our passions.

Sincerity has to do with the connexion between our words and thoughts, and not between our beliefs and actions.

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.

The most insignificant people are the most apt to sneer at others. They are safe from reprisals. And have no hope of rising in their own self esteem but by lowering their neighbors.

Some one is generally sure to be the sufferer by a joke.