Mortifications are often more painful than real calamities.

Nothing is so contemptible as that affectation of wisdom, which some display, by universal incredulity.

If we look round the world, there seem to be not above six distinct varieties in the human species, each of which is strongly marked, and speaks the kind seldom to have mixed with any other. But there is nothing in the shape, nothing in the faculties, that shows their coming from different originals; and the varieties of climate, of nourishment, and custom, are sufficient to produce every change.

There is a greatness in being generous, and there is only simple justice in satisfying creditors. Generosity is the part of the soul raised above the vulgar.

Girls like to be played with and rumpled a little too sometimes.

Novels teach the youthful mind to sigh after happiness that never existed.

A volcano may be considered as a cannon of immense size.