“There are some who speak well and write badly. For the place and the audience warm them, and draw from their minds more than they think of without that warmth.”

“We run carelessly to the precipice, after we have put something before us to prevent us seeing it.”

“To ridicule philosophy is truly philosophical.[Fr., Se moquer de la philosophie c'est vraiment philosophe.]”

“When we see a natural style, we are astonished and charmed; for we expected to see an author, and we find a person.”

“When we wish to correct with advantage, and to show another that he errs, we must notice from what side he views the matter, for on that side it is usually true.”

“Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounc'd it to you, trippingly on the tongue.”

“Delivers in such apt and gracious words that aged ears play truant at his tales; And younger hearings are quite ravished; So sweet and voluble is his discourse.”

“The orator is thereby an orator that keeps his feet ever on a fact.”

“Speak on, but be not over-tedious.”

“And a man's life's no more than to say "One."”

“[S]ince brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief.”

“I am not bound to please thee with my answer.”

“Things are often spoke and seldom meant.”

“Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief.”