Frances Burney - Journals and letters

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To whom, then, must I dedicate my wonderful, surprising and interesting adventures? — to whom dare I reveal my private opinion of my nearest relations? the secret thoughts of my dearest friends? my own hopes, fears, reflections and dislikes? — Nobody!

Frances Burney
Money is the source of the greatest vice, and that nation which is most rich, is most wicked.

Frances Burney
When once—which every body must be—you are convinced of the wickedness and deceit of men, it is impossible to preserve untainted your own innocence of heart. Experience will prove the depravity of mankind, and the conviction of it only serves to create distrust, suspicion—caution—and sometimes causelessly.

Frances Burney
Younger sisters are almost different beings from elder ones, but thank God it is quite and unaffectedly without repining or envy that I see my elder sister gad about and visit, etc. — when I rest at home.

Frances Burney
I cannot be much pleased without an appearance of truth; at least of possibility — I wish the history to be natural though the sentiments are refined; and the characters to be probable, though their behaviour is excelling.

Frances Burney
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!

Frances Burney
Insensibility, of all kinds, and on all occasions, most moves my imperial displeasure.

Frances Burney
O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty!
Of a wedding

Frances Burney
Look at your [English] ladies of quality—are they not forever parting with their husbands—forfeiting their reputations—and is their life aught but dissipation? In common genteel life, indeed, you may now and then meet with very fine girls—who have politeness, sense and conversation—but these are few—and then look at your trademen's daughters—what are they?—poor creatures indeed! all pertness, imitation and folly.

Frances Burney