With the offspring of genius, the law of parturition is reversed; the throes are in the conception, the pleasure in the birth.

We own almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who have differed.

Villains are usually the worst casuists, and rush into crimes to avoid less. Henry VIII. committed murder to avoid the imputation of adultery; and in our times, those who commit the latter crime attempt to wash off the stain of seducing the wife by signifying their readiness to shoot the husband.

Women generally consider consequences in love, seldom in resentment.

Short as life is, some find it long enough to outlive their characters, their constitutions and their estates.

Is there anything more tedious than the often repeated tales of the old and forgetful?

Love may exist without jealousy, although this is rare: but jealousy may exist without love, and this is common; for jealousy can feed on that which is bitter no less than on that which is sweet, and is sustained by pride as often as by affection.