My chief study all my life has been to lighten misfortunes and multiply pleasures, as far as human nature can.

I believe more follies are committed out of complaisance to the world, than in following our own inclinations.

It's in no way my interest (according to the common acceptance of that word) to convince the world of their errors; that is, I shall get nothing from it but the private satisfaction of having done good to mankind, and I know nobody that reckons that satisfaction any part of their interest.

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

To always be loved one must ever be agreeable.

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.

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