It is doubtful whether mankind are most indebted to those who like Bacon and Butler dig the gold from the mine of literature, or to those who, like Paley, purify it, stamp it, fix its real value, and give it currency and utility

A coxcomb begins by determining that his own profession is the first; and he finishes by deciding that he is the first of profession.

He that has never known adversity is but half acquainted with others, or with himself.

Criticism is like champagne, nothing more execrable if bad, nothing more excellent if good.

Man is an embodied paradox, a bundle of contradictions.

All poets pretend to write for immortality, but the whole tribe have no objection to present pay and present praise.

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