There is such a thing as looking through a person's eyes into the heart, and learning more of the height, and breadth, and depth of another's soul in one hour than it might take you a lifetime to discover, if he or she were not disposed to reveal it, or if you had not the sense to understand it.

It is better to arm and strengthen your hero, than to disarm and enfeeble your foe.

The brightest attractions to the lover too often prove the husband's greatest torments

Yet, should thy darkest fears be true, If Heaven be so severe, That such a soul as thine is lost, Oh! how shall I appear?

[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.

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

Oh, I am very weary, Though tears no longer flow; My eyes are tired of weeping, My heart is sick of woe.