A woman's heart must be of such a size and no larger, else it must be pressed small, like Chinese feet; her happiness is to be made as cakes are, by a fixed recipe.

Every woman is supposed to have the same set of motives, or else to be a monster.

What business has an old bachelor like that to marry?' said Sir James. 'He has one foot in the grave.' 'He means to draw it out again, I suppose.

I don't mind how many letters I receive from one who interests me as much as you do. The receptive part of correspondence I can carry on with much alacrity. It is writing answers that I groan over.

People who can't be witty exert themselves to be devout and affectionate.

There is no private life which has not been determined by a wider public life.

Brothers are so unpleasant.