Of all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up its empty spaces as the reading of useful and entertaining authors.

The English Writers of Tragedy are possessed with a Notion, that when they represent a virtuous or innocent Person in Distress, they ought not to leave him till they have delivered him out of his Troubles, or made him triumph over his Enemies.

Musick is certainly a very agreeable Entertainment, but if it would take the entire Possession of our Ears, if it would make us incapable of hearing Sense, if it would exclude Arts that have a much greater Tendency to the Refinement of human Nature; I must confess I would allow it no better Quarter than Plato has done, who banishes it out of his Common-wealth.

The Obedience of Children to their Parents is the Basis of all Government, and set forth as the measure of that Obedience which weowe to those whom Providence hath placed over us.

The Infusion of a China plant sweetened with the pith of an Indian Cane.

It is not the business of virtue to extirpate the affections of the mind, but to regulate them.

A cloudy day or a little sunshine have as great an influence on many constitutions as the most recent blessings or misfortunes.