The desire to be singular and to astonish by ways out of the common seems to me to be the source of many virtues.

Were it not for the amusement of our books, we should be moped to death for want of occupation. It rains incessantly. ... we tickle ourselves in order to laugh; to so low an ebb are we reduced.

We are always on the side of those who speak last.

Friendships take work. Use disagreements as opportunity to come out better on the other side

The heart has no wrinkles.

winter is past, and we have a prospect of spring that is superior to spring itself.

If we could have a little patience, we should escape much mortification; time takes away as much as it gives.