Virtue is the music of the soul, the harmony of the passions.

Oaths and curses are a proof of a most heroic courage, at least in appearance, which answers the same end.

... those, who from an immoderate and false self-love, study to keep their humanity under, always take care, for their own sakes, to represent poverty to themselves, as something ridiculous, mean, and contemptible.

How tedious is time, when his wings are loaded with expectation!

prayer must be, in its own nature, absurd and impertinent.

The most savage and voracious animal never kills to increase his wealth, or open a way to grandeur. It slays to satisfy his hunger, or in a natural defense of his own life, or of those whom he is prompted by instinct to preserve.

I am strangely addicted to the writing of long letters, which, I am afraid, tire you; and for the future, I believe, I must be less communicative, in order to be less troublesome.