The wisest prophets make sure of the event first.

Without grace no book can live, and with it the poorest may have its life prolonged.

The wisest prophets make sure of the event first.

Dr. Calder [a Unitarian minister] said of Dr. [Samuel] Johnson on the publications of Boswell and Mrs. Piozzi, that he was like Actaeon, torn to pieces by his own pack.

I never found even in my juvenile hours that it was necessary to go a thousand miles in search of themes for moralizing.

[King René of Anjou (1409-80)] would not listen to the news of his son having lost the Kingdom of Naples, because he would not bedisturbed when painting a picture of a partridge.

To act with common sense according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know.