Whenever we approve, we can find a hundred good reasons to justify our approbation. Whenever we dislike, we can find a thousand to justify our dislike.
A prudent person, having to do with a designing one, will always distrust most when appearances are fairest.
Too liberal self-accusations are generally but so many traps for acquittal with applause.
People hardly ever do anything in anger, of which they do not repent.
It is but shaping the bribe to the taste, and every one has his price.
The readiness with which women are apt to forgive the men who have deceived other women; and that inconsiderate notion of too many of them that a reformed rake makes the best husband, are great encouragements to vile men to continue their profligacy.
Evil courses can yield pleasure no longer than while thought and reflection can be kept off.
Platonic love is platonic nonsense.
Air and manners are more expressive than words.
Honesty is good sense, politeness, amiableness, – all in one.
Beauty is an accidental and transient good.
Over-niceness may be under-niceness.
A man who insults the modesty of a woman, as good as tells her that he has seen something in her conduct that warranted his presumption.
A fop takes great pains to hang out a sign, by his dress, of what he has within.
A man who flatters a woman hopes either to find her a fool or to make her one.
Whom we fear more than love, we are not far from hating.
An acquaintance with the muses, in the education of youth, contributes not a little to soften manners. It gives a delicate turn to the imagination and a polish to the mind.
That cruelty which children are permitted to show to birds and other animals will most probably exert itself on their fellow creatures when at years of maturity.
Women are sometimes drawn in to believe against probability by the unwillingness they have to doubt their own merit.
Chastity, like piety, is a uniform grace.
An acknowledged love sanctifies every little freedom; and little freedoms beget great ones.