It is generally allowed, that no man ever found the happiness of possession proportionate to that expectation which incited his desire, and invigorated his pursuit; nor has any man found the evils of life so formidable in reality, as they were described to him by his own imagination; every species of distress brings with it some peculiar supports, some unforeseen means of resisting, or powers of enduring.

Since life itself is uncertain, nothing which has life for its basis can boast much stability.

In all pointed sentences, some degree of accuracy must be sacrificed to conciseness.

As any custom is disused, the words that expressed it must perish with it; as any opinion grows popular, it will innovate speech in the same proportion as it alters practice.

The whole of life is but keeping away the thoughts of death.

Unless a woman has an amorous heart, she is a dull companion.

I believe it will be found that those who marry late are best pleased with their children; and those who marry early, with their partners.