Such is the common process of marriage. A youth and maiden exchange meeting by chance, or brought together by artifice, exchange glances, reciprocate civilities, go home, and dream of one another. Having little to divert attention, or diversify thought, they find themselves uneasy when they are apart, and therefore conclude that they shall be happy together. They marry, and discover what nothing but voluntary blindness had before concealed; they wear out life in altercations, and charge nature with cruelty.

Parents are by no means exempt from the intoxication of dominion.

The chief art of learning, as Locke has observed, is to attempt but little at a time. The widest excursions of the mind are made by short flights frequently repeated; the most lofty fabrics of science are formed by the continued accumulation of single propositions.

Life is barren enough surely with all her trappings; let us be therefore cautious of how we strip her.

Nothing is little to him that feels it with great sensibility.

Hope is an amusement rather than a good, and adapted to none but very tranquil minds.

All industry must be excited by hope.