If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from beasts; if they were not different, we could not tell one man from another.

It is commonly seene by experience, that excellent memories do rather accompany weake judgements.

The good, supreme, divine poetry is above the rules and reason. Whoever discerns its beauty with a firm, sedate gaze does not see it, any more than he sees the splendor of a lightning flash. It does not persuade our judgement, it ravishes and overwhelms it.

Obstinacy and contention are common qualities, most appearing in, and best becoming, a mean and illiterate soul.

Whenever a new discovery is reported to the world, they say first, It is probably not true, Then after, when the truth of the new proposition has been demonstrated beyond question, they say, Yes, it may be true, but it is not important. Finally, when sufficient time has elapsed to fully evidence its importance, they say, Yes, surely it is important, but it is no longer new.

Few men have been admired of their familiars.

Like the watermen who advance forward while they look backward.