I have not been able to escape my lot: all that human foresight could suggest has been employed, and nothing has succeeded.

If Fortune continues to pursue me, doubtless I shall sink; it is only she that can extricate me from the situation I am in.

I escape out of it by looking at the Universe on the great scale, like an observer from some distant Planet; all then seems to me so infinitely small, and I could almost pity my enemies for giving themselves such trouble about so very little.

What would become of us without philosophy, without this reasonable contempt of things frivolous, transient and fugitive, about which the greedy and ambitious make such a pother, fancying them to be solid! This is to become wise by stripes, you will tell me; well, if one do become wise, what matters it how ?--I read a great deal; I devour my Books, and that brings me useful alleviation.

But for my Books, I think hypochondria would have had me in bedlam before now.