Punning is an art of harmonious jingling upon words, which, passing in at the ears, excites a titillary motion in those parts; and this, being conveyed by the animal spirits into the muscles of the face, raises the cockles of the heart.

Undoubtedly, philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison.

So geographers, in Africa maps, With savage pictures fill their gaps, And o'er uninhabitable downs Place elephants for want of towns

It often happens that, if a lie be believed only for an hour, it has done its work, and there is no further occasion for it.

I have always a sacred veneration for anyone I observe to be a little out of repair in his person, as supposing him either a poet or a philosopher.

The affectation of some late authors to introduce and multiply cant words is the most ruinous corruption in any language.

Ale is meat, drink and cloth; it will make a cat speak and a wise man dumb.