Among those evils which befall us, there are many which have been more painful to us in the prospect than by their actual pressure.

From hence, let fierce contending nations know, what dire effects from civil discord flow.

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

Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great.

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.

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.

If men would consider not so much wherein they differ, as wherein they agree, there would be far less of uncharitableness and angry feeling in the world.