There are few wild beasts more to be dreaded than a talking man having nothing to say.

There are certain common privileges of a writer, the benefit whereof, I hope, there will be no reason to doubt; particularly, that where I am not understood, it shall be concluded, that something very useful and profound is couched underneath; and again, that whatever word or sentence is printed in a different character, shall be judged to contain something extraordinary either or wit of sublime.

Such a man, truly wise, creams off Nature leaving the sour and the dregs for philosophy and reason to lap up.

Blot out, correct, insert, refine, enlarge, diminish, interline. Be mindful, when invention fails. To scratch your head and bite your nails.

Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect.

Had Windham possessed discretion in debate, or Sheridan in conduct, they might have ruled their age.

When I am in danger of bursting, I will go and whisper among the reeds.