There is nothing good to be had in the country, or if there is, they will not let you have it.

The dupe of friendship, and the fool of love; have I not reason to hate and to despise myself? Indeed I do; and chiefly for not having hated and despised the world enough.

We talk little when we do not talk about ourselves.

Humour is the describing the ludicrous as it is in itself; wit is the exposing it, by comparing or contrasting it with something else. Humour is, as it were, the growth of nature and accident; wit is the product of art and fancy.

Do not quarrel with the world too soon; for, bad as it may be, it is the best we have to live in, here. If railing would have made it better, it would have been reformed long ago.

The way to secure success is to be more anxious about obtaining than about deserving it.

Death puts an end to rivalship and competition. The dead can boast no advantage over us, nor can we triumph over them.