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.

Let this great maxim be my virtue's guide,- In part she is to blame that has been tried: He comes too near that comes to be denied.

You can be pleased with nothing if you are not pleased with yourself.

Tis the established custom [in Vienna] for every lady to have two husbands, one that bears the name, and another that performs the duties.

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.

I have often observ'd the loudest Laughers to be the dullest Fellows in the Company.

I despise the pleasure of pleasing people that I despise.