When once the forms of civility are violated, there remains little hope of return to kindness or decency.

When a friend is carried to his grave, we at once find excuses for every weakness, and palliations of every fault.

Among these men there is often the vociferation of merriment, but very seldom the tranquillity of cheerfulness

By this observation of the miseries of others, fortitude is strengthened, and the mind brought to a more extensive knowledge of her own powers.

With regard to vice and virtue she seems a kind of neutral being. She has no crime but luxury, nor any virtue but chastity.

It is not sufficiently considered how much he assumes who dares to claim the privilege of complaining.

If the love of fame is so far indulged by the mind as to become independent and predominant, it is dangerous and irregular.

For life is not to live, but to be well.

Sorrow is a kind of rust of the soul, which every new idea contributes in its passage to scour away.

You perceive that I do not pretend to write with much consideration of any thing but my own convenience