I am not able to instruct you. I can only tell that I have chosen wrong. I have passed my time in study without experience; in the attainment of sciences which can, for the most part, be but remotely useful to mankind. I have purchased knowledge at the expense of all the common comforts of life: I have missed the endearing elegance of female friendship, and the happy commerce of domestic tenderness.

Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him; for where there is nothing but pure misery there never is any recourse to the mention of it.

Riches are of no value in themselves; their use is discovered only in that which they procure.

I am sorry I have not learnt to play at cards. It is very useful in life: it generates kindness, and consolidates society.

A man is in general better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table, than when his wife talks Greek.

There seems to be a strange affectation in authors of appearing to have done everything by chance.

Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by no means infallible. Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country.