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.

When men come to like a sea-life, they are not fit to live on land.

Too much vigor in the beginning of an undertaking often intercepts and prevents the steadiness and perseverance always necessary in the conduct of a complicated scheme.

Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.

Fear is implanted in us as a preservative from evil.

There are few so free from vanity as not to dictate to those who will hear their instructions with a visible sense of their own beneficence.

Solitude is dangerous to reason, without being favourable to virtue. Remember that the solitary mortal is certainly luxurious, probably superstitious, and possibly mad.