It often happens that, if a lie be believed only for an hour, it has done its work, and there is no further occasion for it.
For want of a block, man will stumble at a straw.
If they would, for Example, praise the Beauty of a Woman, or any other Animal, they describe it by Rhombs, Circles, Parallelograms, Ellipses, and other geometrical terms...
In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine Providence renders a man uncapable of holding any public station; for, since kings avow themselves to be the deputies of Providence.
I row after health like a waterman...
A ridiculous passion which hath no being but in play-books and romances.
Pray steal me not, I’m Mrs. Dingley’s, Whose heart in this four-footed thing lies.
It is likewise to be observed that this society hath a peculiar chant and jargon of their own, that no other mortal can understand, and wherein all their laws are written, which they take special care to multiply.
Two women seldom grow intimate but at the expense of a third person.
Perpetual aiming at wit is a very bad part of conversation. It is done to support a character: it generally fails; it is a sort of insult on the company, and a restraint upon the speaker.
I cannot imagine why we should be at the expense to furnish wit for succeeding ages, when the former have made no sort of provision for ours.
Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is the talent of youth, and judgment of age.
Vanity is a natural object of temptation to a woman.
There is no vice or folly that requires so much nicety and skill to manage as vanity; nor any which by ill management makes so contemptible a figure.
Men always grow vicious before they become unbelievers.
Exploding many things under the name of trifles is a very false proof either of wisdom or magnanimity, and a great check to virtuous actions with regard to fame.
When we are old, our friends find it difficult to please us, and are less concerned whether we be pleased or not.
No man will take counsel, but every man will take money. Therefore, money is better than counsel.
Praise is the daughter of present power.
And, is not Virtue in Mankind The Nutriment that feeds the Mind?