The mind is never satisfied with the objects immediately before it, but is always breaking away from the present moment, and losing itself in schemes of future felicity... The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure, but from hope to hope.

What I gained by being in France was learning to be better satisfied with my own country.

Pain is less subject than pleasure to careless expression.

Wit will never make a man rich, but there are places where riches will always make a wit.

The return of my birthday, if I remember it, fills me with thoughts which it seems to be the general care of humanity to escape.

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.

Don't, Sir, accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.