It is observed of gold, by an old epigrammatist, that to have it is to be in fear, and to want it is to be in sorrow.

Little would be wanting to the happiness of life, if every man could conform to the right as soon as he was shown it.

When the original is well chosen and judiciously copied, the imitator often arrives at excellence which he could never have attained without direction; for few are formed with abilities to discover new possibilities of excellence, and to distinguish themselves by means never tried before.

How few of his friends' houses would a man choose to be at when he is sick.

The traveler that resolutely follows a rough and winding path will sooner reach the end of his journey than he that is always changing his direction, and wastes the hour of daylight in looking for smoother ground and shorter passages.

The specualtist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity; and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less.

The care of the critic should be to distinguish error from inability, faults of inexperience from defects of nature.