One ought not to be unkind to a woman merely on account of her plainness, any more than one had a right to take liberties with her merely because she was handsome

Who has told you that the fruit belies the flower? For the fruit you have not tasted, and the flower you know but by report.

How much the more in judging of the human heart should we distrust all fashionable airs and graces, all tricks and smartness, learnt only to please the outward gaze

Stepmothers in books usually behave very spitefully towards the children entrusted to them. But he was now learning by his own experience that in real life this does not always happen.

How strange a thing is the heart of man!

Intimacy between stepchildren and stepparents is indeed proverbially difficult.

Foolish indeed are those who trust to fortune.