I tasted too what was called the sweet of revenge - but it was transient, it expired even with the object, that provoked it.

What has a man's face to do with his character? Can a man of good character help having a disagreeable face?

There is some magic in wealth, which can thus make persons pay their court to it, when it does not even benefit themselves.

Happiness has this essential difference from what is commonly called pleasure, that virtue forms its basis, and virtue being the offspring of reason, may be expected to produce uniformity of effect.

The world ridicules a passion which it seldom feels; its scenes, and its interests, distract the mind, deprave the taste, corrupt the heart, and love cannot exist in a heart that has lost the meek dignity of innocence.

I wish that all those, who on this night are not merry enough to speak before they think, may ever after be grave enough to think before they speak!

To a generous mind few circumstances are more afflicting than a discovery of perfidy in those whom we have trusted.