When I behold a rich landscape, it is less to my purpose to recite correctly the order and superposition of the strata, than to know why all thought of multitude is lost in a tranquil sense of unity.

The essence of all jokes, of all comedy, seems to be an honest or well intended halfness; a non performance of that which is pretended to be performed, at the same time that one is giving loud pledges of performance. The balking of the intellect, is comedy and it announces itself in the pleasant spasms we call laughter.

When we attempt to define and describe God, both language and thought desert us, and we are as helpless as fools and savages.

There are two classes of poets - the poets by education and practice, these we respect; and poets by nature, these we love.

Character teaches above our wills.

Some eyes threaten like a loaded and levelled pistol, and others are as insulting as hissing or kicking; some have no more expression than blueberries, while others are as deep as a well which you can fall into.

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.