How happy it is to believe, with a steadfast assurance, that our petitions are heard even while we are making them; and how delightful to meet with a proof of it in the effectual and actual grant of them.

But still remember, if you mean to please, To press your point with modesty and ease.

He that has seen both sides of fifty has lived to little purpose if he has no other views of the world than he had when he was much younger.

A tale should be judicious, clear, succinct; The language plain, and incidents well link'd; Tell not as new what ev'ry body knows; and, new or old, still hasten to a close.

[My kitten's] gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.

Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.

Visits are insatiable devourers of time, and fit only for those who, if they did not that, would do nothing.