An atheist is but a mad, ridiculous derider of piety, but a hypocrite makes a sober jest of God and religion; he finds it easier to be upon his knees than to rise to a good action.

If, presume not to God to scan; The proper study of Mankind is Man. Plac'd on this isthmus of a middle state, a being darkly wise, and rudely great.

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance.

Therefore they who say our thoughts are not our own because they resemble the Ancients, may as well say our faces are not our own, because they are like our Fathers: And indeed it is very unreasonable, that people should expect us to be Scholars, and yet be angry to find us so.

Genius involves both envy and calumny.

On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore, Which Jews might kiss and infidels adore.

When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.