A family ... is a little kingdom, torn with factions and exposed to revolutions.

Unconstraint is the grace of conversation.

The man who feels himself ignorant should, at least, be modest.

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties.

Tears are often to be found where there is little sorrow, and the deepest sorrow without any tears.

Advice is offensive, it shows us that we are known to others as well as to ourselves.

To see helpless infancy stretching out her hands, and pouring out her cries in testimony of dependence, without any powers to alarm jealousy, or any guilt to alienate affection, must surely awaken tenderness in every human mind; and tenderness once excited will be hourly increased by the natural contagion of felicity, by the repercussion of communicated pleasure, by the consciousness of dignity of benefaction.