When I consider how little of a rarity children are -- that every street and blind alley swarms with them -- that the poorest people commonly have them in most abundance -- that there are few marriages that are not blest with at least one of these bargains -- how often they turn out ill, and defeat the fond hopes of their parents, taking to vicious courses, which end in poverty, disgrace, the gallows, etc. -- I cannot for my life tell what cause for pride there can possibly be in having them.

I am determined that my children shall be brought up in their father's religion, if they can find out what it is.

Riches are chiefly good because they give us time.

Damn the age. I'll write for antiquity.

The greatest pleasure I know, is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident.

From a poor man, poor in Time, I was suddenly lifted up into a vast revenue; I could see no end of my possessions; I wanted some steward, or judicious bailiff, to manage my estates in Time for me.

He is no lawyer who cannot take two sides.