200 quotes
Let none turn over books, or roam the stars in quest of God, who sees him not in man.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed — nature never pretends.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
If you see one cold and vehement at the same time, set him down for a fanatic.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
All affectation is the vain and ridiculous attempt of poverty to appear rich.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Good can be done by the bad — but the good alone can be good.
The more honesty a man has, the less he affects the air of a saint — the affectation of sanctity is a blotch on the face of piety.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
A woman whose ruling passion is not vanity, is superior to any man of equal faculties.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
There are but three classes of men — the retrograde, the stationary, the progressive.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
You are not very good if you are not better than your best friends imagine you to be.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
He who makes too much or too little of himself has a false measure for everything.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius among those who study nature.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
The craftiest wiles are too short and ragged a cloak to cover a bad heart.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Neatness begets order; but from order to taste there is the same difference as from taste to genius, or from love to friendship.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Good may be done by the bad — but the good alone can be good.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Have you ever seen a pedant with a warm heart?
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
He submits to be seen through a microscope, who suffers himself to be caught in a fit of passion.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Trust not him with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Him, who incessantly laughs in the street, you may commonly hear grumbling in his closet.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least of all who is indifferent about all.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)
Actions, looks, words, steps, form the alphabet by which you may spell characters.
Aphorisms on Man (1788)