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.

I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.

He that has too much to do will do something wrong.

The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be much shorter than nature allows, ought to awaken every man to the active prosecution of whatever he is desirous to perform. It is true, that no diligence can ascertain success; death may intercept the swiftest career; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honest undertaking has at least the honour of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he missed the victory.

Pleasure that is obtained by unreasonable and unsuitable cost must always end in pain.

My diseases are an asthma and a dropsy and, what is less curable, seventy-five.

Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.