When I express my opinions it is so as to reveal the measure of my sight not the measure of the thing.

Hath God obliged himself not to exceed the bounds of our knowledge?

The most regular and most perfect soul in the world has but too much to do to keep itself upright from being overthrown by its own weakness.

I want to be seen here in my simple, natural, ordinary fashion, without straining or artifice; for it is myself that I portray... I am myself the matter of my book.

The knowledge of courtesy and good manners is a very necessary study. It is like grace and beauty, that which begets liking and an inclination to love one another at the first sight.

I know that the arms of friendship are long enough to reach from the one end of the world to the other

I listen with attention to the judgment of all men; but so far as I can remember, I have followed none but my own.