Men are sometimes accused of pride, merely because their accusers would be proud themselves were they in their places.

There would not be any absolute necessity for reserve if the world were honest; yet even then it would prove expedient. For, in order to attain any degree of deference, it seems necessary that people should imagine you have more accomplishments than you discover.

Theirs is the present who can praise the past.

The most reserved of men, that will not exchange two syllables together in an English coffee-house, should they meet at Ispahan, would drink sherbet and eat a mess of rice together.

A large, branching, aged oak is perhaps the most venerable of all inanimate objects.

Nothing is sure in London, except expense.

It seems with wit and good-nature, Utrum horum mavis accipe. Taste and good-nature are universally connected.