The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other.

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

No propagation or multiplication is more rapid that that of evil, unless it be checked; no growth more certain.

Our admiration of fine writing will always be in proportion to its real difficulty and its apparent ease.

The brightest thunder-bolt is elicited from the darkest storm.

Ladies of Fashion starve their happiness to feed their vanity, and their love to feed their pride.

What is earthly happiness? that phantom of which we hear so much, and see so little; whose promises are constantly given and constantly broken, but as constantly believed; that cheats us with the sound instead of the substance, and with the blossom instead of the fruit. Like Juno, she is a goddess in pursuit, but a cloud in possession.