I am ashamed of confessing that I have nothing to confess.

I love and honour [Paulus Aemilius, in Plutarch's Lives], for his fondness for his children, which instead of blushing at, he avows and glories in: and that at an age, when almost all the heros and great men thought that to make their children and family a secondary concern, was the first proof of their superiority and greatness of soul.

Insensibility, of all kinds, and on all occasions, most moves my imperial displeasure

I am tired to death! tired of every thing! I would give the universe for a disposition less difficult to please. Yet, after all, what is there to give pleasure? When one has seen one thing, one has seen every thing.

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

. . . men seldom risk their lives where an escape is without hope of recompense.

Money is the source of the greatest vice, and that nation which is most rich, is most wicked.