The little words in the Republic of Letters, like the little folks in a nation, are the most useful and significant.
Some children act as if they thought their parents had nothing to do, but to see them established in the world and then quit it.
Would Alexander, madman as he was, have been so much a madman, had it not been for Homer?
Whenever we approve, we can find a hundred good reasons to justify our approbation. Whenever we dislike, we can find a thousand to justify our dislike.
Marry first, and love will come after is a shocking assertion; since a thousand things may happen to make the state but barely tolerable, when it is entered into with mutual affection.
The English, the plain English, of the politest address of a gentleman to a lady is, I am now, dear Madam, your humble servant: Pray be so good as to let me be your Lord and Master.
I know not my own heart if it be not absolutely free.
Tired of myself longing for what I have not.
Be sure don’t let people’s telling you, you are pretty, puff you up; for you did not make yourself, and so can have no praise due to you for it. It is virtue and goodness only, that make the true beauty.
Quantity in diet is more to be regarded than quality. A full meal is a great enemy both to study and industry.
Prejudices in disfavor of a person fix deeper, and are much more difficult to be removed, than prejudices in favor.
O! what a Godlike Power is that of doing Good! I envy the Rich and the Great for nothing else!
A Stander-by is often a better judge of the game than those that play.
Married people should not be quick to hear what is said by either when in ill humor.
The person who will bear much shall have much to bear, all the world through.
Men are less forgiving than women.
What likelihood is there of corrupting a man who has no ambition.
Women who have had no lovers, or having had one, two or three, have not found a husband, have perhaps rather had a miss than a loss, as men go.
I am forced, as I have often said, to try to make myself laugh, that I may not cry: for one or other I must do.
Nothing can be more wounding to a spirit not ungenerous, than a generous forgiveness.