Learning is acquired by reading books; but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading man, and studying all the various editions of them. Be wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so. Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise. There is hardly anybody good for everything, and there is scarcely anybody who is absolutely good for nothing. Character must be kept bright as well as clean. He makes people pleased with him by making them first pleased with themselves. If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself. Advice is seldom welcome, and those who need it the most, like it the least. Knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet. What men call gallantry, and gods adultery, is much more common where the climate's sultry. | 
