A short letter to a distant friend is, in my opinion, an insult like that of a slight bow or cursory salutation - a proof of unwillingness to do much, even where there is a necessity of doing something.

Life, to be worthy of a rational being, must be always in progression; we must always purpose to do more or better than in time past.

It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the motives which they have for remaining in that connection, and the restraints which civilised society imposes to prevent separation, are hardly sufficient to keep them together.

For life affords no higher pleasure, than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking, has his fatigues first supported by hope, and afterwards rewarded by joy... To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.

The truly strong and sound mind is the mind that can embrace equally great things and small.

As I know more of mankind I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man a good man upon easier terms than I was formerly.

An author places himself uncalled before the tribunal of criticism and solicits fame at the hazard of disgrace.