Camilla; Or, a Picture of Youth

“The world...is too full of real evil for me at least, to cause one moment of unnecessary uneasiness to any of its poor pilgrims. 'Tis strange...that this is not more generally considered, since the advantage would be so reciprocal from man to man. But wrapt up in our own short moment, we forget our neighbour's long hour! and existence is ultimately embittered to all, by the refined susceptibility for ourselves that monopolizes our feelings.””

— Fanny Burney

“Were you ever in love, Clarendel? speak the truth. I am just seized with a passionate desire to know.’‘Why . . . yes.. ‘ answered he, pulling his lips with his fingers, ‘I think–I rather think. . . . I was once.’‘O tell! tell! tell!’‘Nay, I am not very positive. One hears it is to happen; and one is put upon thinking of it, while so very young, that one soon takes it for granted. Define it a little, and I can answer you more accurately. Pray, is it any thing beyond being very fond, and very silly, with a little touch of melancholy?””

— Fanny Burney

“You are made a slave in a moment by the world, if you don't begin life by defying it.””

— Fanny Burney

“We are almost all, my good General, of a nature so pitifully plastic, that we act from circumstance, and are fashioned by situation.””

— Fanny Burney