Spurious prudence, making the senses final, is the god of sots and cowards, and is the subject of all comedy. It is nature's joke, and therefore literature's. True prudence limits this sensualism by admitting the knowledge of an internal and real world.

Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.

Looking at God instantly reduces our disposition to dissent from our brother.

Throw a stone into the stream and the ripples that propagate themselves are the beautiful type of all influence.

What can we see, read, acquire, but ourselves. Take the book, my friend, and read your eyes out, you will never find there what I find.

Nature hates monopolies and exceptions.

But whoso is heroic will always find crises to try his edge.