Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay. Princes and lords may flourish or may fade,- A breath can make them, as a breath has made; But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroy'd, can never be supplied.

We seldom speak of the virtue which we have, but much oftener of that which we lack.

The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form.

The best way to make your audience laugh is to start laughing yourself.

Philosophy ... should not pretend to increase our present stock, but make us economists of what we are possessed of.

An emperor in his nightcap will not meet with half the respect of an emperor with a crown.

To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm, than all the gloss of art.