Frequent and loud laughter is the characteristic of folly and ill manners.
|
Lord Tyrawley and I have been dead these two years, but we don't choose to have it known.
|
I am convinced that a light supper, a good night's sleep, and a fine morning, have sometimes made a hero of the same man, who, by an indigestion, a restless night, and rainy morning, would have proved a coward.
|
Loud laughter is the mirth of the mob, who are only pleased with silly things; for true Wit or good Sense never excited a laugh since the creation of the world. A man of parts and fashion is therefore often seen to smile, but never heard to laugh.
|
The pleasure is momentary, the position ridiculous, and the expense damnable.
|
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.
|
Horse-play, romping, frequent and loud fits of laughter, jokes, and indiscriminate familiarity, will sink both merit and knowledge into a degree of contempt. They compose at most a merry fellow; and a merry fellow was never yet a respectable man.
|
Politeness is as much concerned in answering letters within a reasonable time, as it is in returning a bow, immediately.
|
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.
|
The world can doubtless never be well known by theory: practice is absolutely necessary; but surely it is of great use to a young man, before he sets out for that country, full of mazes, windings, and turnings, to have at least a general map of it, made by some experienced traveler.
|
A constant smirk upon the face, and a whiffing activity of the body, are strong indications of futility.
|
Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.
|
It must be owned, that the Graces do not seem to be natives of Great Britain; and I doubt, the best of us here have more of rough than polished diamond.
|
As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.
|
For my own part, I would rather be in company with a dead man than with an absent one; for if the dead man gives me no pleasure, at least he shows me no contempt; whereas the absent one, silently indeed, but very plainly, tells me that he does not think me worth his attention.
|
Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.
|
I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.
|
Never hold anyone by the button or the hand in order to be heard out; for if people are unwilling to hear you, you had better hold your tongue than them.
|
Our own self-love draws a thick veil between us and our faults.
|
Whoever is admitted or sought for, in company, upon any other account than that of his merit and manners, is never respected there, but only made use of. We will have such-a-one, for he sings prettily; we will invite such-a-one to a ball, for he dances well; we will have such-a-one at supper, for he is always joking and laughing; we will ask another because he plays deep at all games, or because he can drink a great deal. These are all vilifying distinctions, mortifying preferences, and exclude all ideas of esteem and regard. Whoever is had (as it is called) in company for the sake of any one thing singly, is singly that thing, and will never be considered in any other light; consequently never respected, let his merits be what they will.
|
It is by vivacity and wit that man shines in company; but trite jokes and loud laughter reduce him to a buffoon
|
It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I deny it. A truth learned in a certain light, and attacked in certain words, by men of wit and humor, may, and often doth, become ridiculous, at least so far, that the truth is only remembered and repeated for the sake of the ridicule.
|
Take the tone of the company you are in.
|
No man tastes pleasures truly, who does not earn them by previous business; and few people do business well, who do nothing else.
|
Be wiser than other people, if you can, but do not tell them so.
|
Being pretty on the inside means you don't hit your brother and you eat all your peas - that's what my grandma taught me.
|
In the case of scandal, as in that of robbery, the receiver is always thought as bad as the thief.
|
A chapter of accidents.
|
Patience is the most necessary quality for business, many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.
|
The scholar without good breeding is a nitpicker; the philosopher a cynic; the soldier a brute and everyone else disagreeable.
|