“Should anyone attempt to deceive you by false expressions, and not be a true friend at heart, act in the same manner, and thus art will defeat art. [If you would catch a man let him think he is catching you.]”

The primary virtue is: hold your tongue; who knows how to keep quiet is close to God.

The Fruits of a Man’s honest Industry are the just Rewards of it, ascertained to him by natural and eternal Equity, as is his Title to use them in the Manner which he thinks fit: And thus, with the above Limitations, every Man is sole Lord and Arbitrer of his own private Actions and Property.

Good-breeding is the art of showing men, by external signs, the internal regard we have for them. It arises from good sense, improved by conversing with good company.

It is remarkable that men, when they differ in what they think considerable, will be apt to differ in almost everything else; their difference begets contradiction; contradiction begets heat; heat quickly rises into resentment, rage, and ill-will; thus they differ in affections, as they differ in judgment.

In conversation avoid the extremes of forwardness and reserve.

Since it has such a remembrance of the best, such a concern for the future, since it is enriched with so many arts, sciences, and discoveries, it is impossible but the being which contains all these must be immortal.

By Liberty I understand the Power which every Man has over his own Actions, and his Right to enjoy the Fruits of his Labour,

To say that private men have nothing to do with government is to say that private men have nothing to do with their own happiness or misery; that people ought not to concern themselves whether they be naked or clothed, fed or starved, deceived or instructed, protected or destroyed.

Consider it the greatest of all virtues to restrain the tongue.

It will make you feel as if you had not eaten, and you can drink as much as you like.

In doing nothing men learn to do evil.

Speak briefly and to the point.

I will begin to speak, when I have that to say which had not better be unsaid.

Those magistrates who can prevent crime, and do not, in effect encourage it.

Consider in silence whatever any one says: speech both conceals and reveals the inner soul of man.

Do not expect good from another’s death.