I think that a young state, like a young virgin, should modestly stay at home, and wait the application of suitors for an alliance... with her; and not run about offering her amity to all the world; and hazarding their refusal.... Our virgin is a jolly one; and tho at present not very rich, will in time be a great fortune, and where she has a favorable predisposition, it seems to me well worth cultivating.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
If you teach a poor young man to shave himself, and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life ...than in giving him a thousand guineas. This sum may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths, and dull razors.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter, wherever I meet with ...it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others who are within his sphere of action: and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
That which resembles most living one's life over again, seems to be to recall all the circumstances of it; and, to render this rem...embrance more durable, to record them in writing.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but ...they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end: requesting only the advantage authors have, of ...correcting in a second edition the faults of the first.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into ...execution new projects. The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forced by the occasion.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if h...e first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, make the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »