What cannot letters inspire? They have souls; they can speak; they have in them all that force which expresses the transports of the heart.

Riches and power are but gifts of blind fate, whereas goodness is the result of one's own merits.

The heart overwhelmed by grief knows no rest.

I am convinced by a sad experience that it is natural to avoid those to whom we have been too much obliged, and that uncommon generosity causes neglect rather than gratitude.

Letters were first invented for consoling such solitary wretches as myself. Having lost the substantial pleasures of seeing and possessing you, I shall in some measure compensate this loss by the satisfaction I shall find in your writing.

Would that thy love, beloved, had less trust in me, that it might be more anxious!

What cannot letters inspire? They have souls; they can speak; they have in them all that force which expresses the transports of the heart.