(1707-1754) English Novelist, Dramatist

Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.


It is not from nature, but from education and habits, that our wants are chiefly derived.


Sir, money, money, the most charming of all things; money, which will say more in one moment than the most elegant lover can in years. Perhaps you will say a man is not young; I answer he is rich. He is not genteel, handsome, witty, brave, good-humoured, but he is rich, rich, rich, rich, rich - that one word contradicts everything you can say against him.


Some folks rail against other folks, because other folks have what some folks would be glad of.


Wine is a turncoat; first a friend, and then an enemy.