“Vices and virtues are of a strange nature, for the more we have, the fewer we think we have.”

What then remains, but well our power to use, And keep good-humor still whate’er we lose? And trust me, dear, good-humor can prevail, When airs, and flights, and screams, and scolding fail.

Tis but a part we see, and not a whole.

An obstinate person does not hold opinions; they hold them.

Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed was the ninth beatitude.

A youth of frolic, an old age of cards.

In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.

He best can paint them who shall feel them most.

No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.

If, presume not to God to scan; The proper study of Mankind is Man. Plac’d on this isthmus of a middle state, a being darkly wise, and rudely great.

Never find fault with the absent.

Learning is like mercury, one of the most powerful and excellent things in the world in skillful hands; in unskillful, the most mischievous.

For what I have publish’d, I can only hope to be pardon’d; but for what I have burned, I deserve to be prais’d.

Act well your part, there all the honour lies.

Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing.

Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.

To err is human; to forgive, divine.

I believe that our memories are part of one great memory, the memory of Nature herself.

The stars and the moon owe you nothing. But you – owe yourself everything.

That field hath eyen, and the wood hath ears.

Deviation from Nature is deviation from happiness.

Love is like water; like a river crushing through the mountains to carve its own path. Love will make its own way but only if you have the courage to follow.

Borrow trouble for yourself, if that’s your nature, but don’t lend it to your neighbours.

The handsome gifts that fate and nature lend us Most often are the very ones that end us.

You can’t deny what you’ve learned; you can’t deny your travels; you can’t deny the nature of your life.