William Hazlitt

To get others to come into our ways of thinking, we must go over to theirs; and it is necessary to follow, in order to lead.

The way to get on in the world is to be neither more nor less wise, neither better nor worse than your neighbours.

Those who can command themselves command others.

The person whose doors I enter with most pleasure, and quit with most regret, never did me the smallest favor.

The humblest painter is a true scholar; and the best of scholars the scholar of nature.

One shining quality lends a lustre to another, or hides some glaring defect.

Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts.

Old friendships are like meats served up repeatedly, cold, comfortless, and distasteful. The stomach turns against them.

No young man ever thinks he shall die.

No man is truly great who is great only in his lifetime. The test of greatness is the page of history.

To think ill of mankind and not wish ill to them, is perhaps the highest wisdom and virtue.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

Though familiarity may not breed contempt, it takes off the edge of admiration.

That which is not, shall never be; that which is, shall never cease to be. To the wise, these truths are self-evident.

The most learned are often the most narrow minded.

We can be said only to fulfil our destiny in the place that gave us birth. I should on this account like well enough to spend the whole of my life in travelling abroad, if I could anywhere borrow another life to spend afterwards at home!

A grave blockhead should always go about with a lively one - they show one another off to the best advantage.

If you give an audience a chance they will do half your acting for you.