[Preface to second edition:] ... I am satisfied that if a book is a good one, it is so whatever the sex of the author may be.

I was sorry for her; I was amazed, disgusted at her heartless vanity; I wondered why so much beauty should be given to those who made so bad a use of it, and denied to some who would make it a benefit to both themselves and others. But, God knows best, I concluded. There are, I suppose, some men as vain, as selfish, and as heartless as she is, and, perhaps, such women may be useful to punish them.

Reading is my favourite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read.

Increase of love brings increase of happiness, when it is mutual, and pure as that will be.

The ties that bind us to life are tougher than you imagine, or than any one can who has not felt how roughly they may be pulled without breaking.

If we can only speak to slander our betters, let us hold our tongues.

My cup of sweets is not unmingled: it is dashed with a bitterness that I cannot hide from myself, disguise it as I will.