Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient.

A man who wishes to make his way in life could do no better than go through the world with a boiling tea-kettle in his hand.

It is no more necessary that a man should remember the different dinners and suppers which have made him healthy, than the different books which have made him wise. Let us see the results of good food in a strong body, and the results of great reading in a full and powerful mind.

The main question to a novel is -- did it amuse? were you surprised at dinner coming so soon? did you mistake eleven for ten? were you too late to dress? and did you sit up beyond the usual hour? If a novel produces these effects, it is good; if it does not -- story, language, love, scandal itself cannot save it. It is only meant to please; and it must do that or it does nothing.

In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigor it will give your style.

Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.