"A man of sense only trifles with them, plays with them, humors and flatters them, as he does with a sprightly and forward child; but he neither consults them about, nor trusts them with, serious matters."

"He makes people pleased with him by making them first pleased with themselves."

"An injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult."

"Regularity in the hours of rising and retiring, perseverance in exercise, adaptation of dress to the variations of climate, simple and nutritious aliment, and temperance in all things are necessary branches of the regimen of health."

"The mere brute pleasure of reading - the sort of pleasure a cow must have in grazing."

"Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give luster, and many more people see than weigh."

"Character must be kept bright as well as clean."

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

"Patience is the most necessary quality for business, many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request."

"Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough."

"Idleness is only the refuge of weak minds."

"The heart never grows better by age; I fear rather worse, always harder. A young liar will be an old one, and a young knave will only be a greater knave as he grows older."

"A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things, but cannot receive great ones."

"Inferiority is what you enjoy in your best friends."

"Remember, as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can carry you through the world, with either your conscience or your honor unwounded."

"Politicians neither love nor hate. Interest, not sentiment, directs them."

"To govern mankind, one must not overrate them."

"I sometimes give myself admirable advice, but I am incapable of taking it."

"Never seem more learned than the people you are with. Wear your learning like a pocket watch and keep it hidden. Do not pull it out to count the hours, but give the time when you are asked."

"In matters of religion and matrimony I never give any advice; because I will not have anybody's torments in this world or the next laid to my charge."

"Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share of it in another."