It happened very providentially, to the honor of the Christian religion, that it did not take its rise in the dark illiterate ages of the world, but at a time when arts and sciences were at their height.

We are always doing something for posterity, but I would fain see posterity do something for us.

The pride of woman, natural to her, never sleeps until modesty is gone.

It is impossible for us, who live in the latter ages of the world, to make observations in criticism, morality, or in any art or science, which have not been touched upon by others. We have little else left us but to represent the common sense of mankind in more strong, more beautiful, or more uncommon lights.

This not in mortals to command success, but we'll do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve it.

Our Grub-street biographers watch for the death of a great man like so many undertakers on purpose to make a penny of him.

It is of unspeakable advantage to possess our minds with an habitual good intention, and to aim all our thoughts, words, and actions at some laudable end.