Hetty [Burney's sister] set down to the harpsichord and sung ... we departed this life of anguish and misery, and rested our weary... souls in the Elysian field--my papa's study--there, freed from the noise and bustle of the world enjoyed the harmony of chattering--and the melody of music!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Dr. Calder [a Unitarian minister] said of Dr. [Samuel] Johnson on the publications of Boswell and Mrs. Piozzi, that he was like Ac...taeon, torn to pieces by his own pack.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
There are various orders of beauty, causing men to make fools of themselves in various styles ... but there is one order of beauty... which seems made to turn the heads not only of men, but of all intelligent mammals, even of women. It is a beauty like that of kittens, or very small downy ducks making gentle rippling noises with their soft bills, or babies just beginning to toddle and to engage in conscious mischief--a beauty with which you can never be angry, but that you feel ready to crush for inability to comprehend the state of mind into which it throws you.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
... the ... thing I am proudest of in my whole business life is that I do not take, that I never took in all my life, and never, n...ever! will take, one single penny more than 6% on any loan or any contract.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I would advise you Sir, to study algebra, if you are not already an adept in it: your head would be less muddy, and you will leave... off tormenting your neighbours about paper and packthread, while we all live together in a world that is bursting with sin and sorrow.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Life must be filled up, and the man who is not capable of intellectual pleasures must content himself with such as his senses can ...afford.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Do not discourage your children from hoarding, if they have a taste to it; whoever lays up his penny rather than part with it for ...a cake, at least is not the slave of gross appetite; and shows besides a preference always to be esteemed, of the future to the present moment.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Solitude is dangerous to reason, without being favourable to virtue.... Remember that the solitary mortal is certainly luxurious, ...probably superstitious, and possibly mad.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »