The world will never be long without some good reason to hate the unhappy; their real faults are immediately detected; and if those are not sufficient to sink them into infamy, an individual weight of calumny will be super-added.

There are certain topicks which are never exhausted. Of some images and sentiments the mind of man may be said to be enamoured; it meets them, however often they occur, with the same ardour which a lover feels at the sight of his mistress, and parts from them with the same regret when they can no longer be enjoyed.

There must always be a struggle between a father and son, while one aims at power and the other at independence.

I also admit, that there are some sluggish men who are improved by drinking; as there are fruits which are not good till they are rotten.

Human happiness has always its abatements; the brightest sunshine of success is not without a cloud.

The worst evils are those that never arrive.

What is good only because it pleases cannot be pronounced good till it has been found to please.