What! Would I be turned back from doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right, by the airs and interference of such a person, or any person I may say? No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded. When I have made up my mind, I have made it.

One cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.

It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before.

but a sanguine temper, though for ever expecting more good than occurs, does not always pay for its hopes by any proportionate depression. it soon flies over the present failure, and begins to hope again.

Where people are really attached, poverty itself is wealth.

To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of 26 and 18 is to do pretty well.

it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.