... many a heart is caught in the rebound ... Pride may be soothed by the ready devotion of another; vanity may be excited the more keenly by recent mortification.

It is curious how inseparable eating and kindness are with some people.

words alike make the destiny of empires and of individuals. Ambition, love, hate, interest, vanity, have words for their engines, and need none more powerful. Language is a fifth element - the one by which all the others are swayed.

It is said that ridicule is the test of truth: it is never applied, but when we wish to deceive ourselves.

No thoroughly occupied man was ever yet very miserable.[to feel unhappy you need the time to consider how your lot could be better]

One of the greatest of all mental pleasures is to have our thoughts often divined: ever entered into with sympathy.

Curiosity and courtesy are very often at variance.