he who seeks pleasure with reference to himself, not others, will ever find that pleasure is only another name for discontent.

it is a curious fact, but one which all experience owns, that people do not desire so much to appear better, as to appear different from what they really are.

Social life is filled with doubts and vain aspirings; solitude, when the imagination is dethroned, is turned to weariness and ennui.

How often, in this cold and bitter world, is the warm heart thrown back upon itself! Cold, careless, are we of another's grief; we wrap ourselves in sullen selfishness.

We would liken music to Aladdin's lamp — worthless in itself, not so for the spirits which obey its call. We love it for the buried hopes, the garnered memories, the tender feelings, it can summon with a touch.

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.

the blessings of matrimony, like those of poverty, belong rather to philosophy than reality.