Man is a transitory being, and his designs must partake of the imperfections their author.

Whatever is formed for long duration arrives slowly to its maturity.

Flattery pleases very generally. In the first place, the flatterer may think what he says to be true; but, in the second place, whether he thinks so or not, he certainly thinks those whom he flatters of consequence enough to be flattered.

To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity; the next is, to strive, and deserve to conquer: but he whose life has passed without a contest, and who can boast neither success nor merit, can survey himself only as a useless filler of existence; ad if he is content with his own character, must owe his satisfaction to insensibility.

Mutual complacency is the atmosphere of conjugal love.

Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.

The cure for the greatest part of human miseries is not radical, but palliative.