We suffer equal pain from the pertinacious adhesion of unwelcome images, as from the evanescence of those which are pleasing and useful.

He that embarks on the voyage of life will always wish to advance rather by the impulse of the wind than the strokes of the oar; and many fold in their passage; while they lie waiting for the gale.

For life affords no higher pleasure, than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking, has his fatigues first supported by hope, and afterwards rewarded by joy... To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.

Nay, Madam, when you are declaiming, declaim; and when you are calculating, calculate.

Abstinence is as easy to me as temperance would be difficult.

Mutual complacency is the atmosphere of conjugal love.

Invention is almost the only literary labour which blindness cannot obstruct.