The best time to frame an answer to the letters of a friend, is the moment you receive them. Then the warmth of friendship, and the intelligence received, most forcibly cooperate. – William Shenstone
Hope is a flatterer, but the most upright of all parasites for she frequents the poor mans hut, as well as the palace of his superior. – William Shenstone
Grandeur and beauty are so very opposite, that you often diminish the one as you increase the other. Variety is most akin to the latter, simplicity to the former. – William Shenstone
Jealousy is the fear or apprehension of superiority: envy our uneasiness under it. – William Shenstone
I am sorry.. Can only say time accelerated and skidded…. When my correspondents reproach me for tardiness, I can only say that I give as much attention to a letter as I do to anything I write, and I work at least six and sometimes sixteen hours a day. – William S. Burroughs, letter to Mother and Dad, 1959