Nothing more strongly marks the insufficiency of luxuries than the ease with which people grow accustomed to them; they are rather known by their want than by their presence. The word 'blasé' has been coined expressly for the use of the upper classes.

That which is always within our reach, is always the last thing we take; and the chances are, that what we can do every day, we never do at all.

habit is our idea of eternity.

... true love is like religion, it hath its silence and its sanctity.

There is no existence so content as that whose present is engrossed by employment, and whose future is filled by some strong hope, the truth of which is never proved. Toil and illusion are the only secrets to make life tolerable.

I hate the word 'ought' - it always implies something dull, cold, and commonplace. The 'ought nots' of life are its pleasantest things.

Are we not like the actor of old times, who wore his mask so long his face took its likeness?