There is ... scarcely any species of writing of which we can tell what is its essence, and what are its constituents; every new genius produces some innovation, which, when invented and approved, subverts the rules which the practice of foregoing authors had established.

Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they find?

As every writer has his use, every writer ought to have his patrons; and since no man, however high he may now stand, can be certain that he shall not be soon thrown down from his elevation by criticism or caprice, the common interest of learning requires that her sons should cease from intestine hostilities, and, instead of sacrificing each other to malice and contempt, endeavour to avert persecution from the meanest of their fraternity.

Silence propagates itself, and the longer talk has been suspended, the more difficult it is to find anything to say.

I live in the crowd of jollity, not so much to enjoy company as to shun myself.

It may be laid down as a position which seldom deceives, that when a man cannot bear his own company, there is something wrong.

History can be formed from permanent monuments and records; but lives can only be written from personal knowledge, which is growing every day less, and in a short time is lost forever.