In comparing these two writers, he [Samuel Johnson] used this expression: "that there was as great a difference between them as between a man who knew how a watch was made, and a man who could tell the hour by looking on the dial-plate." This was a short and a figurative statement of his distinction between drawing characters of nature and characters only of manners, but I cannot help being of opinion, that the neat watches of Fielding are as well constructed as the large clocks of Richardson, and that his dial plates are brighter.

I am sensible that my keenness of temper, and a vanity to be distinguished for the day, make me too often splash in life.... I amresolved to restrain myself and attend more to decorum.

It is not every man who can be exquisitely miserable, any more than exquisitely happy.

When a man is familiar with many people he must expect many disagreeable familiarizations.

In every place, where there is any thing worthy of observation, there should be a short printed directory for strangers.

We must take our friends as they are.

In an orchard there should be enough to eat, enough to lay up, enough to be stolen, and enough to rot on the ground.