My father had a small Estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the Third of five Sons.

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.

We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.

It is a maxim, that those, to whom everybody allows the second place, have an undoubted title to the first.

Brisk talkers are generally slow thinkers.

No wise man ever wished to be younger.

Conscience signifies that knowledge which a man hath of his own thoughts and actions; and because, if a man judgeth fairly of his actions by comparing them with the law of God, his mind will approve or condemn him; this knowledge or conscience may be both an accuser and a judge.