Letters

• An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit.
  • Book II, letter 15

• He (Pliny the Elder) used to say that "no book was so bad but that some good might be got out of it."
  • Book III, letter 5

• By then day had broken everywhere, but here it was still night-no, more than night.
  • Book IV, letter 16

• That indolent but agreeable condition of doing nothing.
  • Book VIII, letter 9

• Objects which are usually the motives of our travels by land and sea are often overlooked and neglected if they lie under our eye...We put off from time to time going and seeing what we know we have an opportunity of seeing when we please.
  • Book VIII, letter 20

• His only fault is that he has no fault.
  • Book IX, letter 26