'Tis a sort of duty to be rich, that it may be in one's power to do good, riches being another word for power.

Nature has not placed us in an inferior rank to men, no more than the females of other animals, where we see no distinction of capacity, though I am persuaded if there was a commonwealth of rational horses... it would be an established maxim amongst them that a mare could not be taught to pace.

My dear Smollett ... disgraces his talent by writing those stupid romances called history.

We are no more free agents than the queen of clubs when she victoriously takes prisoner the knave of hearts.

Prudent people are very happy; 'tis an exceeding fine thing, that's certain, but I was born without it, and shall retain to my day of Death the Humour of saying what I think.

Writers of novels and romance in general bring a double loss to their readers; robbing them of their time and money; representing men, manners, and things, that never have been, or are likely to be.

Copiousness of words, however ranged, is always false eloquence, though it will ever impose on some sort of understandings.