The best time to frame an answer to the letters of a friend, is the moment you receive them. Then the warmth of friendship, and the intelligence received, most forcibly cooperate.

Let the gulled fool the toil of war pursue, where bleed the many to enrich the few.

Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments.

There is nothing more universally commended than a fine day; the reason is that people can commend it without envy.

Fashion is a great restraint upon your persons of taste and fancy; who would otherwise in the most trifling instances be able to distinguish themselves from the vulgar.

I trimmed my lamp, consumed the midnight oil.

Critics must excuse me if I compare them to certain animals called asses, who, by gnawing vines, originally taught the great advantage of pruning them.