Among the English authors, Shakespeare has incomparably excelled all others. That noble extravagance of fancy, which he had in so great perfection, thoroughly qualified him to touch the weak, superstitious part of his readers' imagination, and made him capable of succeeding where he had nothing to support him besides the strength of his own genius.

An honest man, that is not quite sober, has nothing to fear.

It is odd to consider the connection between despotism and barbarity, and how the making one person more than man makes the rest less.

To this end, nothing is to be more carefully consulted than plainness. In a lady's attire this is the single excellence; for to be what some people call fine, is the same vice, in that case, as to be florid is in writing or speaking.

Poverty palls the most generous spirits; it cows industry, and casts resolution itself into despair.

Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them, that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves.

Honor's a fine imaginary notion, that draws in raw and unexperienced men to real mischiefs.