One must be strict even in little things.

Boswell, when he speaks of his Life of Johnson, calls it my magnum opus, but it may more properly be called his opera, for it is truly a composition founded on a true story, in which there is a hero with a number of subordinate characters, and an alternate succession of recitative and airs of various tone and effect, all however in delightful animation.

Those who would extirpate evil from the world know little of human nature. As well might punch be palatable without souring as existence agreeable without care.

It is wonderful that five thousand years have now elapsed since the creation of the world, and still it is undecided whether or not there has ever been an instance of the spirit of any person appearing after death. All argument is against it; but all belief is for it.

There is indeed a strange prejudice against Quotation.

I argued that the chastity of women was of much more consequence than that of men, as the property and rights of families depend upon it.

If a man who is born to a fortune cannot make himself easier and freer than those who are not, he gains nothing.