Homer excels all the inventors of other arts in this: that he has swallowed up the honor of those who succeeded him.

There is but one way I know of conversing safely with all men; that is, not by concealing what we say or do, but by saying or doing nothing that deserves to be concealed.

The life of a wit is a warfare upon earth.

On cold December fragrant chaplets blow, And heavy harvests nod beneath the snow.

Order is Heaven's first law; and this confessed, some are, and must be, greater than the rest, more rich, more wise; but who infers from hence that such are happier, shocks all common sense. Condition, circumstance, is not the thing; bliss is the same in subject or in king.

Music resembles poetry, in each Are nameless graces which no methods teach, And which a master hand alone can reach.

Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be, In every work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend; And if the means be just, the conduct true, Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due.