The prosecution of [Warren] Hastings, though he should escape at last, must have good effect. It will alarm the servants of the Company in India, that they may not always plunder with impunity, but that there may be a retrospect; and it will show them that even bribes of diamonds to the Crown may not secure them from prosecution.

I firmly believe, notwithstanding all our complaints, that almost every person upon earth tastes upon the totality more happiness than misery.

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.

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

Nine-tenths of the people were created so you would want to be with the other tenth.

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

It is difficult to divest one's self of vanity; because impossible to divest one's self of self-love.