Charity, like poetry, should be cultivated, if only for its being graceful.

The fact is, that among his hunters at least, the whale would by all hands be considered a noble dish, were there not so much of him; but when you come to sit down before a meat-pie nearly one hundred feet long, it takes away your appetite.

If you begin the day with a laugh, you may, nevertheless, end it with a sob and a sigh.

Twelve o'clock! It is the natural centre, key-stone, and very heart of the day. At that hour, the sun has arrived at the top of his hill; and as he seems to hang poised there a while, before coming down on the other side, it is but reasonable to suppose that he is then stopping to dine; setting an eminent example to all mankind.

Nobody is so heartily despised as a pusillanimous, lazy, good-for-nothing, land-lubber; a sailor has no bowels of compassion for him.

If there be any thing a man might well pray against, that thing is the responsive gratification of some of the devoutest prayers of his youth.

Many sensible things banished from high life find an asylum among the mob.