Providence has fixed the limits of human enjoyment by immovable boundaries, and has set different gratifications at such a distance from each other, that no art or power can bring them together. This great law it is the business of every rational being to understand, that life may not pass away in an attempt to make contradictions consistent, to combine opposite qualities, and to unite things which the nature of their being must always keep asunder.

Love is only one of many passions.

No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it.

Why, sir, Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an excess of stupidity, Sir, is not in Nature.

A man of genius has been seldom ruined but by himself.

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

The natural progress of the works of men is from rudeness to convenience, from convenience to elegance, and from elegance to nicety.