There is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country.

But in all despotic governments, though a particular prince may favour arts and letter, there is a natural degeneracy of mankind.

Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed.

There is not a more pleasante exercise of the mind than gratitude.

I consider time as an in immense ocean, in which many noble authors are entirely swallowed up.

Knowledge is, indeed, that which, next to virtue, truly and essentially raises one man above another.

The hours of a wise man are lengthened by his ideas.