The most mortifying infirmity in human nature, to feel in ourselves, or to contemplate in another, is perhaps cowardice.

I mean your borrowers of books - those mutilators of collections, spoilers of the symmetry of shelves, and creators of odd volumes.

Nothing puzzles me more than time and space; and yet nothing troubles me less, as I never think about them.

If thou would'st have me sing and play As once I play'd and sung, First take this time-worn lute away, And bring one freshly strung.

Milton almost requires a solemn service of music to be played before you enter upon him. But he brings his music, to which who listen had need bring docile thoughts and purged ears.

We were happier when we were poorer, but we were also younger.

Brandy and water spoils two good things.