To a heart formed for friendship and affection the charms of solitude are very short-lived.

to be sure, marriage is all in all with the ladies; but with us gentlemen it's quite another thing!

This perpetual round of constrained civilities to persons quite indifferent to us, is the most provoking and tiresome thing in theworld, but it is unavoidable in a country town, where everybody is known.... 'Tis a most shocking and unworthy way of spending our precious irrecoverable time, to those who know not its value.

an old woman ... is a person who has no sense of decency; if once she takes to living, the devil himself can't get rid of her.

We relate all our afflictions more frequently than we do our pleasures.

Travelling is the ruin of all happiness. There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy.

... it's vastly more irksome to give up one's own way, than to hear a few impertinent remarks.