How prone poor Humanity is to dam up the minutest remnants of its freedom, and build an artificial roof to prevent it looking up to the clear blue sky.

It is nearly always the most improbable things that really come to pass.

I may be permitted, kind reader, to doubt whether you have ever been enclosed in a glass bottle, unless some vivid dream has teased you with such magical mishaps.

Every year lays more earth upon us, which weighs us down from aerial regions, till we go under the earth at last.

It is only in the morning that one should marry, read unfavourable reviews, make one's will, beat one's servants, and so forth.

Everything here below beneath the sun is subject to continual change; and perhaps there is nothing which can be called more inconstant than opinion, which turns round in an everlasting circle like the wheel of fortune. He who reaps praise today is overwhelmed with biting censure tomorrow; today we trample under foot the man who tomorrow will be raised far above us.

There is nothing more marvelous or madder than real life.