Enthusiasm is that secret and harmonious spirit which hovers over the production of genius, throwing the reader of a book, or the spectator of a statue, into the very ideal presence whence these works have really originated. A great work always leaves us in a state of musing.

The ancients, who in these matters were not perhaps such blockheads as some may conceive, considered poetical quotation as one of the requisite ornaments of oratory.

The poet must be alike polished by an intercourse with the world as with the studies of taste; one to whom labour is negligence, refinement a science, and art a nature.

It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.

The greater part of our writers have become so original, that no one cares to imitate them: and those who never quote in return are seldom quoted.

Every work of Genius is tinctured by the feelings, and often originates in the events of times.

The defects of great men are the consolation of the dunces.