[T]hro’ this Air, this Ocean, and this Earth, All Nature quick, and bursting into birth. Above, how high progressive life may go? Around how wide? how deep extend below? Vast Chain of Being! which from God began, Ethereal Essence, Spirit, Substance, Man, Beast, Bird, Fish, Insect! what no Eye can see, No Glass can reach! from Infinite to Thee! From Thee to Nothing.... From Nature’s Chain whatever Link you strike, Tenth, or ten thousandth, breaks the chain alike.... All are but parts of one stupendous Whole: Whose Body Nature is, and God the Soul.

Condition, circumstance, is not the thing; Bliss is the same in subject or in king.

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

The most positive men are the most credulous.

The zeal of fools offends at any time.

Light quirks of music, broken and uneven,Make the soul dance upon a jig to Heav'n.

Old men, for the most part, are like old chronicles that give you dull but true accounts of times past, and are worth knowing only on that score.