There is no greater mistake in the world than the looking upon every sort of nonsense as want of sense.

Affection, like melancholy, magnifies trifles.

Table talk, to be perfect, should be sincere without bigotry, differing without discord, sometimes grave, always agreeable, touching on deep points, dwelling most on seasonable ones, and letting everybody speak and be heard.

The last excessive feelings of delight are always grave.

Anglers boast of the innocence of their pastime; yet it puts fellow-creatures to the torture. They pique themselves on their meditative faculties; and yet their only excuse is a want of thought.

The same people who can deny others everything are famous for refusing themselves nothing.

Tears hinder sorrow from becoming despair.