When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.

I am persuaded that every time a man smiles - but much more so when he laughs - it adds something to this fragment of life.

Solitude is the best nurse of wisdom.

Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.

I am persuaded ... that both man and woman bear pain or sorrow, (and, for aught I know, pleasure too) best in a horizontal position.

I have undertaken, you see, to write not only my life, but my opinions also; hoping and expecting that your knowledge of my character, and of what kind of a mortal I am, by the one, would give you a better relish for the other: As you proceed further with me, the slight acquaintance which is now beginning betwixt us, will grow into familiarity; and that, unless one of us is in fault, will terminate in friendship.

Shall we be destined to the days of eternity, on holy-days, as well as working-days, to be showing the relics of learning, as monks do the relics of their saints - without working one - one single miracle with them?