A young man, be his merit what it will, can never raise himself; but must, like the ivy round the oak, twine himself round some man of great power and interest.

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.

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

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

It is always right to detect a fraud, and to perceive a folly; but it is very often wrong to expose either. A man of business should always have his eyes open, but must often seem to have them shut.

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