Death stands above me, whispering low I know not what into my ear; Of his strange language all I know Is, there is not a word of fear.

It has been my fortune to love in general those men most who have thought most differently from me, on subjects wherein others pardon no discordance. I think I have no more right to be angry with a man, whose reason has followed up a process different from what mine has, and is satisfied with the result, than with one who has gone to Venice while I am at Siena, and who writes to me that he likes the place.

The foundation of domestic happiness is faith in the virtue of woman.

There is nothing on earth divine except humanity.

Heat and animosity, contest and conflict, may sharpen the wits, although they rarely do; they never strengthen the understanding, clear the perspicacity, guide the judgment, or improve the heart.

We cannot be contented because we are happy, and we cannot be happy because we are contented.

Contentment is better than divinations or visions.