Nothing is so delicate as the reputation of a woman; it is at once the most beautiful and most brittle of all human things.

To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind.

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.

To despise riches, may, indeed, be philosophic, but to dispense them worthily, must surely be more beneficial to mankind.

You must not sneeze. If you have a vehement cold you must take no notice of it; if your nose membranes feel a great irritation you must hold your breath; if a sneeze still insists upon making its way you must oppose it keeping your teeth grinding together; if the violence of the pulse breaks some blood-vessel you must break the blood-vessel -- but not sneeze.

falsehood is not more unjustifiable than unsafe.

Misery is a guest that we are glad to part with, however certain of her speedy return.