We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.

Example has far more followers than reason.

We trifle when we assign limits to our desires, since nature hath set none.

In the assurance of strength there is strength; and they are the weakest, however strong, who have no faith in themselves or their powers.

Care, admitted as guest, quickly turns to be master.

God, we are told, looked upon the world after he had created it and pronounced it good; but ascetic pietists, in their wisdom, cast their eyes over it, and substantially pronounce it a dead failure, a miserable production, a poor concern.

The selection of a subject is to the author what choice of position is to the general,--once skilfully determined, the battle is already half won. Of a few writers it may be said that they are popular in despite of their subjects--but of a great many more it may be observed that they are popular because of them.