Two things, well considered, would prevent many quarrels: first, to have it well ascertained whether we are not disputing about terms, rather than things; and, secondly, to examine whether that on which we differ is worth contending about.

Genius, in one respect, is like gold; numbers of persons are constantly writing about both, who have neither.

Pride, like the magnet, constantly points to one object, self; but, unlike the magnet, it has no attractive pole, but at all points repels.

Those graces which from their presumed facility encourage all to attempt an imitation of them, are usually the most inimitable.

I have somewhere seen it observed that we should make the same use of a book that the bee does of a flower: she steals sweets from it, but does not injure it.

That is true beauty which has not only a substance, but a spirit; a beauty that we must intimately know, justly to appreciate.

To cure us of our immoderate love of gain, we should seriously consider how many goods there are that money will not purchase, and these the best; and how many evils there are that money will not remedy, and these the worst.