The triumph of hope over experience.

The happiness of building lasted but a little while, for though I love to spend, I hate to be cheated; and I soon found, that to build is to be robbed.

Profuseness is a cruel and crafty demon, that gradually involves her followers in dependence and debt; that is, fetters them with irons that enter into their souls.

Ignorance is mere privation by which nothing can be produced: it is a vacuity in which the soul sits motionless and torpid for want of attraction: and, without knowing why, we always rejoice when we learn, and grieve when we forget.

Quotation is a good thing, there is a community of thought in it.

I am sorry I have not learnt to play at cards. It is very useful in life: it generates kindness, and consolidates society.

We are more pained by ignorance than delighted by instruction.