For I too liked reading, thought of a frivolous and childish kind; I could not digest or comprehend the serious or substantial.

Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within, as on the state of things without and around us.

I like the spirit of this great London which I feel around me. Who but a coward would pass his whole life in hamlets; and for ever abandon his faculties to the eating rust of obscurity?

There is a perverse mood of the mind which is rather soothed than irritated by misconstruction; and in quarters where we can never be rightly known, we take pleasure, I think, in being consummately ignored. What honest man on being casually taken for a housebreaker does not feel rather tickled than vexed at the mistake?

Your station is in my heart, and on the necks of those who would insult you.

Adversity is a good school.

Am I hideous, Jane? Very, sir: you always were, you know.