Oh who can tell, save he whose heart hath tried.

I cannot conceive why people will always mix up my own character and opinions with those of the imaginary beings which, as a poet, I have the right and liberty to draw.

A man of eighty has outlived probably three new schools of painting, two of architecture and poetry and a hundred in dress.

So for a good old-gentlemanly vice, I think I must take up with avarice.

Tis not on youth's smooth cheek the blush alone, which fades so fast, But the tender bloom of heart is gone, ere youth itself be past.

For all we know that English people are/ Fed upon beef - I won't say much of beer/ Because 'tis liquor only, and being far/ From this my subject, has no business here;/ We know too, they are very fond of war,/ A pleasure - like all pleasures - rather dear;/ So were the Cretans - from which I infer/ That beef and battle both were owing her

Truth is a gem that is found at a great depth; whilst on the surface of the world all things are weighed by the false scale of custom.