If it were a rainy day, a drunken vigil, a fit of the spleen, a course of physic, sleepy Sunday, an ill run at dice, a long tailor's bill, a beggar's purse, a factious head, a hot sun, costive diet, want of books, and a just contempt for learning - but for these. . .the number of authors and of writing would dwindle away to a degree most woeful to behold.

Some men, under the notion of weeding out prejudice, eradicate virtue, honesty and religion.

Promises and pie-crust are made to be broken.

Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age.

Pray steal me not, I'm Mrs. Dingley's, Whose heart in this four-footed thing lies.

The greatest Inventions were produced in Times of Ignorance; as the Use of the Compass, Gunpowder, and Printing; and by the dullest Nation, as the Germans.

Nothing more unqualified the man to act with prudence than a misfortune that is attended with shame and guilt.