“The best kind of conversation is that which may be called thinking aloud.”

“The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.”

“Though familiarity may not breed contempt, it takes off the edge of admiration.”

“Life is the art of being well-deceived; and in order that the deception may succeed it must be habitual and uninterrupted.”

“The difference between the vanity of a Frenchman and an Englishman is this: The one thinks everything right that is French, while the other thinks everything wrong that is not English.”

“Even a highwayman, in the way of trade, may blow out your brains, but if he uses foul language at the same time, I should say he was no gentleman.”

“Any one may mouth out a passage with theatrical cadence or get upon stilts to tell his thoughts. But to write or speak with propriety and simplicity is a more difficult task.”