The Church has lost a great religious poet in me; but I have lost an infinity of fun in the church, so the loss is even.

Of all damnable offenses preaching prudence to the young is the most damnable.

Anticipation of pleasure is a pleasure in itself.

Love is the only real patriation, and without one's dear one sits in a dreary and boring exile.

about ten days ago I got started on a new book, and am completely, brazenly devoted to it: my hair is uncut, my letters are unwritten, the house is a shambles, and I sit here as happy as Mrs. Jellaby, though I am in 1836, not Africa. It won't go on like this, I shall fall over some obstacle, and wake out of my dreams with a black eye and broken shins: but while it does last, I daren't interrupt it. I haven't had such a spell of writing for nearly three years.

[John Craske] painted like a man giving witness under oath to a wild story.

One cannot revoke a true happiness.