I am satisfied that if a book is a good one, it is so whatever the sex of the author may be. All novels are or should be, written for both men and women to read, and I am at a loss to conceive how a man should permit himself to write anything that would be really disgraceful to a woman, or why a woman should be censured for writing anything that would be proper and becoming for a man.

It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior.

I would rather have your friendship than the love of any other woman in the world.

A girl's affections should never be won unsought.

if I hate the sins, I love the sinner, and would do much for his salvation

But, God knows best, I concluded.

I wished to tell the truth, for truth always conveys its own moral to those who are able to receive it.