Learning is acquired by reading books, but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various facets of them.

Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give luster, and many more people see than weigh.

No man tastes pleasures truly, who does not earn them by previous business; and few people do business well, who do nothing else.

Our prejudices are our mistresses; reason is at best our wife, very often heard indeed, but seldom minded.

Custom has made dancing sometimes necessary for a young man; therefore mind it while you learn it, that you may learn to do it well, and not be ridiculous, though in a ridiculous act.

Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

I find, by experience, that the mind and the body are more than married, for they are most intimately united; and when one suffers, the other sympathizes.

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

Pleasure is a necessary reciprocal. No one feels, who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please. What pleases you in others, will in general please them in you.

Our own self-love draws a thick veil between us and our faults.