No, Sir, claret is the liquor for boys; port for men: but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy. In the first place brandy will do soonest for a man what drinking can do for him.

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.

[A]s a lady adjusts her dress before a mirror, a man adjusts his character by looking at his journal.

A woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinter legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to see it done at all.

Have a sense of piety ever on your mind, and be ever mindful that this is subject to no change, but will last you as long as life and support you in death. Elevate your soul by prayer and by contemplation without mystical enthusiasm.

I am sensible that my keenness of temper, and a vanity to be distinguished for the day, make me too often splash in life.... I amresolved to restrain myself and attend more to decorum.