A king may be a tool, a thing of straw; but if he serves to frighten our enemies, and secure our property, it is well enough; a scarecrow is a thing of straw, but it protects the corn.

We ought, in humanity, no more to despise a man for the misfortunes of the mind than for those of the body, when they are such as he cannot help; were this thoroughly considered we should no more laugh at a man for having his brains cracked than for having his head broke.

Only music has the ability to take you to the edge of reality and allow you to peek in for a moment.

Is that a birthday? 'tis, alas! too clear; 'Tis but the funeral of the former year.

Some people will never learn anything, for this reason, because they understand everything too soon.

Find, if you can, in what you cannot change. Manners with fortunes, humours turn with climes, Tenets with books, and principles with times.

Love the offender, yet detest the offense.