Our [British] summers are often, though beautiful for verdure, so cold, that they are rather cold winters.

This world is a comedy, not Life.

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.

That strange premature genius Chatterton has couched in one line the quintessence of what Voltaire has said in many pages: "Reason, a thorn in Revelation's side.

Exercise is the worst thing in the world and as bad an invention as gunpowder.

The best sun we have is made of Newcastle coal, and I am determined never to reckon upon any other.

The wisest prophets make sure of the event first.