He that would be a master must draw from the life as well as copy from originals, and join theory and experience together.

Books support us in our solitude and keep us from being a burden to ourselves.

We must not let go manifest truths because we cannot answer all questions about them.

Emulation is a handsome passion; it is enterprising, but just withal. It keeps a man within the terms of honor, and makes the contest for glory just and generous. He strives to excel, but it is by raising himself, not by depressing others.

It is a difficult task to talk to the purpose, and to put life and perspicuity into our discourse.

The end of pleasure is to support the offices of life, to relieve the fatigues of business, to reward a regular action, and to encourage the continuance.

Not that the moderns are born with more wit than their predecessors, but, finding the world better furnished at their coming into it, they have more leisure for new thoughts, more light to direct them, and more hints to work upon.