... we ought to be astonished at nothing; for what do we not meet with in our journey through life?

... Providence conducts us with so much kindness through the different periods of our life, that we scarcely feel the change; our days glide gently and imperceptibly along, like the motion of the hour-hand, which we cannot discover. ... we advance gradually; we are the same to-day as yesterday, and to-morrow as to-day: thus we go on, without perceiving it, which is a miracle of the Providence I adore.

We must always live in hope; without that consolation there would be no living.

The heart never becomes wrinkled.

We are so fond of hearing ourselves spoken of, that, be it good or ill, it is still pleasing.

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.

I fear nothing so much as a man who is witty all day long.