The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes.

There is nothing in this world constant, but inconstancy.

She watches him as a cat would watch a mouse.

A true critic, in the perusal of a book, is like a dog at a feast, whose thoughts and stomach are wholly set upon what the guests fling away, and consequently is apt to snarl most when there are the fewest bones.

Religion seems to have grown an infant with age, and requires miracles to nurse it, as it had in its infancy.

Brutes find out where their talents lie; A bear will not attempt to fly, A foundered horse will oft debate Before he tries a five barred gate. A dog by instinct turns aside Who sees the ditch too deep and wide, But man we find the only creature Who, led by folly, combats nature; Who, when she loudly cries-Forbear! With obstinacy fixes there; And where the genius least inclines, Absurdly bends his whole designs.

Men always grow vicious before they become unbelievers.