Date: January 28, 1753

"I have heard that his understanding was rather hurt by the absolute retirement in which he lived, and indeed he had an imagination too lively to be trusted to itself; the treasures of it were inexhaustible, but for want of commerce with mankind he made that rich oar into bright but useless medal...

— Montagu [née Robinson], Elizabeth (1718-1800)

Date: June, 1753

"It is indeed a curious and interesting letter, and sufficient (if such a thing is possible) to make the Jacobites themselves ashamed of Jacobitism; but shews plainly, that lord Bolingbroke was a slave to his passions, passions too of the most malignant nature, and one who would stick at nothing ...

— Anonymous

Date: [1753] 1754

"Despairing of success with you, he has assumed airs of bravery; but your name is written in large letters in his heart."

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1754

One may pursue his own predominant passion

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1754

Gratitude may raise a throne for someone in one's heart

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1754

"Can I regain him, if I conquer that not ignoble vehemence of a great mind?"

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1754

"When temptations arise, and virtue staggers, let imagination sound the final trumpet, and judgment lay hold on eternal Life"

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1754

One's judgment may be at war with her passion

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1754

One may have a hole in their heart "thro' which one may run one's head"

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1754

"The man's discover'd unworthiness, and your own discretion, enabled you to conquer a passion to which you had given way, supposing it unconquerable, because you thought it would cost you pains to contend with it"

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)