It is justly considered as the greatest excellency of art to imitate nature; but it is necessary to distinguish those parts of nature which are most proper for imitation: greater care is still required in representing life, which is so often discoloured by passion or deformed by wickedness. If the world be promiscuously described, I cannot see of what use it can be to read the account; or why it may not be as safe to turn the eye immediately upon mankind, as upon a mirror which shows all that presents itself without discrimination.

A man is very apt to complain of the ingratitude of those who have risen far above him.

Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, roll darkly down the torrent of his fate.

There is no wisdom in useless and hopeless sorrow.

The mind is seldom quickened to very vigorous operations but by pain, or the dread of pain. We do not disturb ourselves with the detection of fallacies which do us no harm.

God Himself, sir, does not propose to judge a man until his life is over. Why should you and I?

Bashfulness may sometimes exclude pleasure, but seldom opens any avenue to sorrow or remorse.