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.

Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through.

It is the first rule in oratory that a man must appear such as he would persuade others to be: and that can be accomplished only by the force of his life.

How often do we contradict the right rules of reason in the whole course of our lives! Reason itself is true and just, but the reason of every particular man is weak and wavering, perpetually swayed and turned by his interests, his passions, and his vices.

There seems to be no part of knowledge in fewer hands than that of discerning when to have done.

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

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