It is in life as it is in ways, the shortest way is commonly the foulest, and surely the fairer way is not much about.

Some men covet knowledge out of a natural curiosity and inquisitive temper; some to entertain the mind with variety and delight; some for ornament and reputation; some for victory and contention; many for lucre and a livelihood; and but few for employing the Divine gift of reason to the use and benefit of mankind.

But we may go further, and affirm most truly, that it is a mere and miserable solitude to want true friends; without which the world is but a wilderness.

An artist must learn to be nourished by his passions and by his despairs.

Hurl your calumnies boldly; something is sure to stick.

We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends.

...neither is it possible to discover the more remote and deeper parts of any science, if you stand but upon the level of the same science, and ascend not to a higher science.