A learned historian declared to me of a contemporary, that the latter had appropriated his researches; he might, indeed, and he had a right to refer to the same originals; but if his predecessor had opened the sources for him, gratitude is not a silent virtue.

Literary friendship is a sympathy not of manners, but of feelings.

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.

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.

Bayle, when writing on "Comets," discovered this; for having collected many things applicable to his work, as they stood quoted in some modern writers, when he came to compare them with their originals, he was surprised to find that they were nothing for his purpose! the originals conveyed a quite contrary sense to that of the pretended quoters, who often, from innocent blundering, and sometimes from purposed deception, had falsified their quotations. This is an useful story for second-hand authorities!

An excessive indulgence in the pleasures of social life constitutes the great interests of a luxuriant and opulent age.

Solitude is the nurse of enthusiasm, enthusiasm is the true part of genius.