Discussion without asperity, sympathy with fusion, gayety unracked by too abundant jests, mental ease in approaching one another; these are the things which give a pleasant smoothness to the rough edge of life.
fair play is less characteristic of groups than of individuals.
Laughter springs from the lawless part of our nature.
A puppy is but a dog, plus high spirits, and minus common sense.
Edged tools are dangerous things to handle, and not infrequently do much hurt.
the most comfortable characteristic of the period [1775-1825], and the one which incites our deepest envy, is the universal willingness to accept a good purpose as a substitute for good work.