It is the glory and merit of some men to write well and of others not to write at all.

When a book raises your spirit, and inspires you with noble and manly thoughts, seek for no other test of its excellence. It is good, and made by a good workman.

We must confess that at present the rich predominate, but the future will be for the virtuous and ingenious.

The nearer we approach great men, the clearer we see that they are men.

The events we most desire do not happen; or, if they do, it is neither in the time nor in the circumstances when they would have given us extreme pleasure.

Women are extreme; they are better than men, or worse.

Great things astonish us, and small dishearten us. Custom makes both familiar.