Brutes find out where their talents lie; A bear will not attempt to fly, A foundered horse will oft debate Before he tries a five barred gate. A dog by instinct turns aside Who sees the ditch too deep and wide, But man we find the only creature Who, led by folly, combats nature; Who, when she loudly cries-Forbear! With obstinacy fixes there; And where the genius least inclines, Absurdly bends his whole designs.

I won't quarrel with my bread and butter.

By candle-light nobody would have taken you for above five-and-twenty.

In oratory the greatest art is to hide art.

The chameleon, who is said to feed upon nothing but air, has of all animals the nimblest tongue.

I know Sir John will go, though he was sure it would rain cats and dogs.

If a man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is, he keeps his at the same time.