The best hearts are ever the bravest.

If time, like money, could be laid by while one was not using it, there might be some excuse for the idleness of half of the world, but yet not a full one. For even this would be such an economy as the living on a principal sum, without making it purchase interest.

There is one sweet lenitive at least for evils, which nature holds out; so I took it kindly at her hands, and fell asleep.

We often think ourselves inconsistent creatures, when we are the furthest from it, and all the variety of shapes and contradictory appearances we put on, are in truth but so many different attempts to gratify the same governing appetite.

Before an affliction is digested, consolation ever comes too soon; and after it is digested, it comes too late.

To write a book is for all the world like humming a song.

Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions.