And he gave it for his opinion, "that whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together.

God hath intended our passions to prevail over reason.

Perpetual aiming at wit is a very bad part of conversation. It is done to support a character: it generally fails; it is a sort of insult on the company, and a restraint upon the speaker.

'T is an old maxim in the schools, That flattery 's the food of fools; Yet now and then your men of wit Will condescend to take a bit.

An idle reason lessens the weight of the good ones you gave before.

It is as hard to satirize well a man of distinguished vices, as to praise well a man of distinguished virtues.

To acknowledge you were wrong yesterday is simply to let the world know that you are wiser today than you were then.