“Words are the dress of thoughts; which should no more be presented in rags, tatters, and dirt than your person should.”

“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.”

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

“Be wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so.”

“Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it; it will counsel you best.”

“Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.”

“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”