The business of life summons us away from useless grief, and calls us to the exercise of those virtues of which we are lamenting our deprivation.

Nothing concentrates one's mind so much as the realization that one is going to be hanged in the morning!

Sir, I did not count your glasses of wine, why should you number up my cups of tea?

Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last.

Madam, before you flatter a man so grossly to his face, you should consider whether or not your flattery is worth his having.

To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.

A simile, to be perfect, must both illustrate and ennoble the subject; must show it to the understanding in a clearer view, and display it to the fancy with greater dignity; but either of these qualities may be sufficient to recommend it.... That it may be complete, it is required to exhibit, independently of its references, a pleasing image; for a simile is said to be a short episode.