I would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in a long engagement.

Business, you know, may bring you money, but friendship hardly ever does.

If people like to read their books, it is all very well, but to be at so much trouble in filling great volumes, which, as I used to think, nobody would willingly ever look into, to be labouring only for the torment of little boys and girls, always struck me as a hard fate.

I assure you. I have no notion of treating men with such respect. That is the way to spoil them.

Indeed, I am very sorry to be right in this instance. I would much rather have been merry than wise.

The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it.

The wisest and the best of men, nay, the wisest and best of their actions, may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.