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The laws of custom make our [returning a visit] necessary. O how I hate this vile custom which obliges us to make slaves of ourselves! to sell the most precious property we boast, our time--and to sacrifice it to every prattling impertinent who chooses to demand it!

Fanny Burney

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Fanny Burney
Demand
Visit
Obliges
Sacrifice
Customs
Impertinent
Necessary
Precious
Vile
Law
Sell
Returning
Hate
Sells
Custom
Every
Slave
Chooses
Make
Property
Boast
Time
Laws
Slaves

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We continually say things to support an opinion, which we have given, that in reality we don't above half mean.
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. . . men seldom risk their lives where an escape is without hope of recompense.
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O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty!
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I wish the opera was every night. It is, of all entertainments, the sweetest and most delightful. Some of the songs seemed to melt my very soul.
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Imagination took the reins, and reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to a race with so eccentric and flighty a companion.
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it has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty.
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This perpetual round of constrained civilities to persons quite indifferent to us, is the most provoking and tiresome thing in theworld, but it is unavoidable in a country town, where everybody is known.... 'Tis a most shocking and unworthy way of spending our precious irrecoverable time, to those who know not its value.
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The Spring is generally fertile in new acquaintances.
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Unused to the situations in which I find myself, and embarassed by the slightest difficulties, I seldom discover, till too late, how I ought to act.
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In England, I was quite struck to see how forward the girls are made--a child of 10 years old, will chat and keep you company, while her parents are busy or out etc.--with the ease of a woman of 26. But then, how does this education go on?--Not at all: it absolutely stops short.
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To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind.
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Childhood is never troubled with foresight.
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To a heart formed for friendship and affection the charms of solitude are very short-lived.
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I cannot sleep - great joy is as restless as sorrow.
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Can any thing, my good Sir, be more painful to a friendly mind than a necessity of communicating disagreeable intelligence? Indeed, it is sometimes difficult to determine, whether the relater or the receiver of evil tidings is most to be pitied.
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I am tired to death! tired of every thing! I would give the universe for a disposition less difficult to please. Yet, after all, what is there to give pleasure? When one has seen one thing, one has seen every thing.
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to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment.
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To have some account of my thoughts, manners, acquaintance and actions, when the hour arrives in which time is more nimble than memory, is the reason which induces me to keep a journal: a journal in which I must confess my every thought, must open my whole heart!
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Tired, ashamed, and mortified, I begged to sit down till we returned home, which I did soon after. Lord Orville did me the honour to hand me to the coach, talking all the way of the honour I had done him ! O these fashionable people!
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Far from having taken any positive step, I have not yet even fommed any resolution.
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