Considering the unforeseen events of this world, we should be taught that no human condition should inspire men with absolute despair.

A grave aspect to a grave character is of much more consequence than the world is generally aware of; a barber may make you laugh, but a surgeon ought rather to make you cry.

An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money.

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by tenderness of the best hearts.

It is not enough that your designs, nay that your actions, are intrinsically good, you must take care they shall appear so.

Now in reality, the world has paid too great a compliment to critics, and has imagined them to be men of much greater profundity than they really are.

No one hath seen beauty in its highest lustre who hath never seen it in distress.