Words, which are the dress of thoughts, deserve surely more care than clothes, which are only the dress of the person.

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.

Our prejudices are our mistresses; reason is at best our wife, very often heard indeed, but seldom minded.

If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.

The difference between a man of sense and a fop is that the fop values himself upon his dress; and the man of sense laughs at it, at the same time he knows he must not neglect it.

To govern mankind, one must not overrate them.

Custom has made dancing sometimes necessary for a young man; therefore mind it while you learn it, that you may learn to do it well, and not be ridiculous, though in a ridiculous act.

The only solid and lasting peace between a man and his wife is, doubtless, a separation.

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

Our own self-love draws a thick veil between us and our faults.

Men, as well as women, are much oftener led by their hearts than by their understandings.

Being pretty on the inside means you don't hit your brother and you eat all your peas - that's what my grandma taught me.

Advice is seldom welcome; and those who want it the most always want it the least.

A novel must be exceptionally good to live as long as the average cat.

In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.

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.

In those days he was wiser than he is now - he used frequently to take my advice.

If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself.

Gratitude is a burden upon our imperfect nature, and we are but too willing to ease ourselves of it, or at least to lighten it as much as we can.

As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.

Every man becomes, to a certain degree, what the people he generally converses with are.

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.

Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him.

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.