Only a mother knows a mother's fondness.

I prefer liberty to chains of diamonds.

We have all our playthings. Happy are they who are contented with those they can obtain; those hours are spent in the wisest manner that can easiest shade the ills of life, and are the least productive of ill consequences.

Muse, time has taught me that all metaphysical systems, even historical facts given as truths, are hardly that, so I amuse myself with more agreeable lies; I no longer read anything but novels.

No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.

How many thousands ... earnestly seeking what they do not want, while they neglect the real blessings in their possession -- I mean the innocent gratification of their senses, which is all we can properly call our own.

Miserable is the fate of writers: if they are agreeable, they are offensive; and if dull, they starve.