Let fortune do her worst, whatever she makes us lose, so long as she never makes us lose our honesty and our independence.

A man of business may talk of philosophy; a man who has none may practice it.

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

What dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.

I believe it is no wrong Observation, that Persons of Genius, and those who are most capable of Art, are always fond of Nature, as such are chiefly sensible, that all Art consists in the Imitation and Study of Nature. On the contrary, People of the common Level of Understanding are principally delighted with the Little Niceties and Fantastical Operations of Art, and constantly think that finest which is least Natural.

Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

What bosom beast not in his country's cause?