Nothing so soon the drooping spirits can raise As praises from the men, whom all men praise.
It is a hard and nice subject for a man to speak of himself: it grates his own heart to say anything of disparagement, and the reader's ear to hear anything of praise from him.
The present is all the ready money Fate can give.
Unbind the charms that in slight fables lie and teach that truth is truest poesy.
The present is an eternal now.
I confess I love littleness almost in all things. A little convenient estate, a little cheerful house, a little company, and a little feast.