That is why Bias jested with those who were going through the perils of a great storm with him and calling on the gods for help: "Shut up," he said, "so that they do not realize that you are here with me.

To how many blockheads of my time has a cold and taciturn demeanor procured the credit of prudence and capacity!

The vulgar and common esteem is seldom happy in hitting right; and I am much mistaken if, amongst the writings of my time, the worst are not those which have most gained the popular applause.

Poetry reproduces an indefinable mood that is more amorous than love itself. Venus is not so beautiful all naked, alive, and panting, as she is here in Virgil.

We feel a kind of bittersweet pricking of malicious delight in contemplating the misfortunes of others.

Our speech has its weaknesses and its defects, like all the rest. Most of the occasions for the troubles of the world are grammatical.

There is no doubt that Greek and Latin are great and handsome ornaments, but we buy them too dear.