I went to my father's at night. He spoke of poor John [Boswell's brother] with disgust. I was shocked and said, "He's your son, and God made him." He answered very harshly, "If my sons are idiots, can I help it?
James BoswellThose who would extirpate evil from the world know little of human nature. As well might punch be palatable without souring as existence agreeable without care.
James BoswellA woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinter legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to see it done at all.
James BoswellMy readers, who may at first be apt to consider Quotation as downright pedantry, will be surprised when I assure them, that next to the simple imitation of sounds and gestures, Quotation is the most natural and most frequent habitude of human nature. For, Quotation must not be confined to passages adduced out of authors. He who cites the opinion, or remark, or saying of another, whether it has been written or spoken, is certainly one who quotes; and this we shall find to be universally practiced.
James Boswell