Flattery of the verbal kind is gross. In short, applause is of too coarse a nature to be swallowed in the gross, though the extract or tincture be ever so agreeable.

Virtues, like essences, lose their fragrance when exposed.

When misfortunes happen to such as dissent from us in matters of religion, we call them judgments; when to those of our own sect, we call them trials; when to persons neither way distinguished, we are content to attribute them to the settled course of things.

The making presents to a lady one addresses is like throwing armor into an enemy's camp, with a resolution to recover it.

It should seem that indolence itself would incline a person to be honest, as it requires infinitely greater pains and contrivance to be a knave.

Reserve is no more essentially connected with understanding than a church organ with devotion, or wine with good-nature.

Nothing is certain in London but expense.