I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural awkwardness.

It is indolence... Indolence and love of ease; a want of all laudable ambition, of taste for good company, or of inclination to take the trouble of being agreeable, which make men clergymen. A clergyman has nothing to do but be slovenly and selfish; read the newspaper, watch the weather, and quarrel with his wife. His curate does all the work and the business of his own life is to dine.

She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to herself; but this was no new sensation

She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.

General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be.

There is safety in reserve, but no attraction. One cannot love a reserved person.

I do not like to have people throw themselves away; but everybody should marry as soon as they can do it to advantage.