But I am a just man, even to my enemy - and I will acknowledge, beforehand, that they are cleverer brains than I thought them

I sadly want a reform in the construction of children. Nature's only idea seems to be to make them machines for the production of incessant noise.

I am an average good Christian, when you don't push my Christianity too far. And all the rest of you—which is a great comfort—are, in this respect, much the same as I am.

Any woman who is sure of her own wits, is a match, at any time, for a man who is not sure of his own temper.

Yes! the books - the generous friends who met me without suspicion - the merciful masters who never used me ill! The only years of my life that I can look back on with something like pride... Early and late, through the long winter nights and the quiet summer days, I drank at the fountain of knowledge, and never wearied of the draught.

I haven't much time to be fond of anything ... but when I have a moment's fondness to bestow, most times ... the roses get it. I began my life among them in my father's nursery garden, and I shall end my life among them, if I can. Yes. One of these days (please God) I shall retire from catching thieves, and try my hand at growing roses.

But, ah me! where is the faultless human creature who can persevere in a good resolution, without sometimes failing and falling back?