Many books require no thought from those who read them, and for a very simple reason; they made no such demand upon those who wrote them.

As a man of pleasure, by a vain attempt to be more happy than any man can be, is often more miserable than most men are, so the sceptic, in a vain attempt to be wise beyond what is permitted to man, plunges into a darkness more deplorable, and a blindness more incurable than that of the common herd, whom he despises, and would fain instruct.

We own almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who have differed.

No improvement that takes place in either sex can possibly be confined to itself. Each is a universal mirror to each, and the respective refinement of the one will always be in reciprocal proportion to the polish of the other.

Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer.

Custom is the law of one description of fools, and fashion of another; but the two parties often clash--for precedent is the legislator of the first, and novelty of the last. Custom, therefore, looks to things that are past, and fashion to things that are present.

We should have a glorious conflagration, if all who cannot put fire into their works would only consent to put their works into the fire.