There is nothing so absurd or ridiculous that has not at some time been said by some philosopher. Fontenelle says he would undertake to persuade the whole public of readers to believe that the sun was neither the cause of light or heat, if he could only get six philosophers on his side.

The volumes of antiquity, like medals, may very well serve to amuse the curious, but the works of the moderns, like the current coin of a kingdom, are much better for immediate use.

A night-cap deck'd his brows instead of bay,- A cap by night, a stocking all the day.

The first blow is half the battle.

Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.

The ingratitude of the world can never deprive us of the conscious happiness of having acted with humanity ourselves.

All the sciences are, in some measure, linked with each other, and before the one is ended, the other begins.