There is no passion that is not finely expressed in those parts of the inspired writings which are proper for divine songs and anthems.

The lives of great men cannot be writ with any tolerable degree of elegance or exactness within a short time after their decease.

Our forefathers looked upon nature with more reverence and horror, before the world was enlightened by learning and philosophy, and loved to astonish themselves with the apprehensions of witchcraft, prodigies, charms, and inchantments. There was not a village in England that had not a ghost in it, the church-yards were all haunted, every large common had a circle of fairies belonging to it, and there was scarce a shepherd to be met with who had not seen a spirit.

A man’s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart.

A virtuous mind in a fair body is indeed a fine picture in a good light, and therefore it is no wonder that it makes the beautiful sex all over charms.

The first race of mankind used to dispute, as our ordinary people do now-a-days, in a kind of wild logic, uncultivated by rule of art.

Friendships, in general, are suddenly contracted; and therefore it is no wonder they are easily dissolved.