Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition, but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.

Nothing that isn't a real crime makes a man appear so contemptible and little in the eyes of the world as inconsistency.

I would fain ask one of these bigotted Infidels, supposing all the great Points of Atheism... were laid together and formed into a kind of Creed, according to the Opinions of the most celebrated Atheists; I say, supposing such a Creed as this were formed, and imposed upon any one People in the World, whether it would not require an infinitely greater Measure of Faith, than any Set of Articles which they so violently oppose.

The peacock in all his pride does not display half the colors that appear in the garments of a British lady when she is dressed.

An evil intention perverts the best actions, and makes them sins.

There is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country.

One should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter.