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.

The reason why so few marriages are happy is because young ladies spend their time in making nets, not in making cages.

My nose itched, and I knew I should drink wine or kiss a fool.

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.

The translators of the Bible were masters of an English style much fitter for that work than any we see in our present writings; the which is owing to the simplicity that runs through the whole.

An excuse is a lie guarded.

A poor spirit is poorer than a poor purse. A very few pounds a year would ease a man of the scandal of avarice.