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.

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

I have found men to be more kind than I expected, and less just.

In such a government as ours no man is appointed to an office because he is the fittest for it--nor hardly in any other government--because there are so many connections and dependencies to be studied.

What provokes your risibility, Sir? Have I said anything that you understand? Then I ask pardon of the rest of the company.

It is very strange, and very melancholy, that the paucity of human pleasures should persuade us ever to call hunting one of them.

We must consider how very little history there is--I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought, we can depend upon as true; but all the coloring, all the philosophy, of history is conjecture.