There is nothing that makes its way more directly into the soul than beauty.

Whether dark presages of the night proceed from any latent power of the soul during her abstraction, or from any operation of subordinate spirits, has been a dispute.

A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body; it preserves constant ease and serenity within us; and more than countervails all the calamities and afflictions which can befall us from without.

There is nothing that more betrays a base ungenerous spirit than the giving of secret stabs to a man's reputation. Lampoons and satires that are written with wit and spirit are like poisoned darts, which not only inflict a wound, but make it incurable.

The time never lies heavy upon him; it is impossible for him to be alone.

I have often thought, says Sir Roger, it happens very well that Christmas should fall out in the middle of Winter.

Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body.