He was a man of his times. with one virtue and a thousand crimes. (The Corsair)

Letter writing is the only device combining solitude with good company.

But as to women, who can penetrate the real sufferings of their she condition? Man's very sympathy with their estate has much of selfishness and more suspicion. Their love, their virtue, beauty, education, but form good housekeepers, to breed a nation.

Whenever I meet with anything agreeable in this world it surprises me so much - and pleases me so much (when my passions are not interested in one way or the other) that I go on wondering for a week to come.

To be perfectly original one should think much and read little, and this is impossible, for one must have read before one has learnt to think.

A thirst for gold, The beggar's vice, which can but overwhelm The meanest hearts.

I was accused of every monstrous vice by public rumour and private rancour; my name, which had been a knightly or noble one, was tainted. I felt that, if what was whispered, and muttered, and murmured, was true, I was unfit for England; if false, England was unfit for me.