The most perfect education ... is such an exercise of the understanding as is best calculated to strengthen the body and form the heart. Or, in other words, to enable the individual to attain such habits of virtue as will render it independent.

The flexible muscles growing daily more rigid give character to the countenance ; that is, they trace the operations of the mind with the iron pen of fate, and tell us not only what powers are within, but how they have been employed.

We cannot, without depraving our minds, endeavour to please a lover or husband, but in proportion as he pleases us.

The two sexes mutually corrupt and improve each other.

When a man seduces a woman, it should, I think, be termed a left-handed marriage.

...trifling employments have rendered woman a trifler.

In fact, it is a farce to call any being virtuous whose virtues do not result from the exercise of its own reason.