Thus all below is strength, and all above is grace.

Mere poets are sottish as mere drunkards are, who live in a continual mist, without seeing or judging anything clearly. A man should be learned in several sciences, and should have a reasonable, philosophical and in some measure a mathematical head, to be a complete and excellent poet.

Ever a glutton, at another's cost, But in whose kitchen dwells perpetual frost.

Discover the opinion of your enemies, which is commonly the truest; for they will give you no quarter, and allow nothing to complaisance.

We must beat the iron while it is hot, but we may polish it at leisure.

Merit challenges envy.

Heaven be thanked, we live in such an age, When no man dies for love, but on the stage.