He that swells in prosperity will be sure to shrink in adversity.

Custom looks to things that are past, and fashion to things that are present, but both of them are somewhat purblind as to things that are to come.

Men pursue riches under the idea that their possession will set them at ease, and above the world. But the law of association often makes those who begin by loving gold as a servant finish by becoming themselves its slaves; and independence without wealth is at least as common as wealth without independence.

Subtract from many modern poets all that may be found in Shakespeare, and trash will remain.

The Grecian’s maxim would indeed be a sweeping clause in Literature; it would reduce many a giant to a pygmy; many a speech to a sentence; and many a folio to a primer.

Mystery is not profoundness.

He that places himself neither higher nor lower than he ought to do exercises the truest humility.