The triumph of hope over experience.

Most schemes of political improvement are very laughable things.

It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.

I refute it thus.

Don’t, Sir, accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.

A woman’s preaching is like a dog’s walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.

Why, Sir, Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an excess of stupidity, Sir, is not in Nature.

Truth, Sir, is a cow, that will yield such people [sceptics] no more milk, and so they are gone to milk the bull.

But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses, let us count our spoons.

The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!