Small debts are like small shot; they are rattling on every side, and can scarcely be escaped without a wound: great debts are like cannon; of loud noise, but little danger.

Sorrow is properly that state of the mind in which our desires are fixed upon the past without looking forward to the future.

Being married to those sleepy-souled women is just like playing at cards for nothing: no passion is excited and the time is filled up. I do not, however, envy a fellow one of those honeysuckle wives for my part, as they are but creepers at best and commonly destroy the tree they so tenderly cling about.

A quibble is to Shakespeare what luminous vapours are to the traveller: he follows it at all adventures; it is sure to lead him out of his way and sure to engulf him in the mire.

To buried merit rise the tardy bust.

Nothing is more common than mutual dislike, where mutual approbation is particularly expected.

Curiosity, like all other desires, produces pain as well as pleasure.