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.

Every age might perhaps produce one or two geniuses, if they were not sunk under the censure and obloquy of plodding, servile, imitating pedants.

Lord, Madame, I have fed like a farmer; I shall grow as fat as a porpoise.

'Tis happy for him that his Father was born before him.

Religion supposed Heaven and Hell, the word of God, and sacraments, and twenty other circumstances which, taken seriously, are a wonderful check to wit and humour.

Most sorts of diversion in men, children and other animals, are in imitation of fighting.

Words are but wind; and learning is nothing but words; ergo, learning is nothing but wind.