I am afraid we are little better than straws upon the water; we may flatter ourselves that we swim, when the current carries us along.

One can never outlive one's vanity.

I am in perfect health, and hear it said I look better than ever I did in my life, which is one of those lies one is always glad to hear.

It goes far towards reconciling me to being a woman, when I reflect that I am thus in no danger of ever marrying one.

I know a love may be revived which absence, inconstancy, or even infidelity has extinguished, but there is no returning from a dTgovt given by satiety.

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.

Making verses is almost as common as taking snuff, and God can tell what miserable stuff people carry about in their pockets, and offer to all their acquaintances, and you know one cannot refuse reading and taking a pinch.