I knew once a very covetous, sordid fellow, who used to say, "Take care of the pence, for the pounds will take care of themselves." - Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

You had better refuse a favor gracefully, than to grant it clumsily. Manner is all, in everything: it is by manner only that you can please, and consequently rise. All your Greek will never advance you from secretary to envoy, or from envoy to ambassador; but your address, your manner, your air, if good, very probably may.

I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason, nobody has ever heard me laugh.

It is commonly said, and more particularly by Lord Shaftesbury, that ridicule is the best test of truth.