You shall not, for the sake of one individual, change the meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility of danger, security for happiness.
There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.
Nothing is more deceitful, than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.
Your retrospections must be so totally void of reproach, that the contentment arising from them, is not of philosophy, but what is much better, of ignorance.
What are men to rocks and mountains?
There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it.
Resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation.
Indulge your imagination in every possible flight.
In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger.
I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.
I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.
Affectation of candour is common enough; – one meets it every where. But to be candid without ostentation or design – to take the good of every body’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad – belongs to you alone.
