Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing - it only hastens fools to rush in where angels fear to tread.

The business of a poet is to examine not the individual but the species; to remark general properties and large appearances.

It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the motives which they have for remaining in that connection, and the restraints which civilised society imposes to prevent separation, are hardly sufficient to keep them together.

We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

Poetry cannot be translated; and, therefore, it is the poets that preserve the languages; for we would not be at the trouble to learn a language if we could have all that is written in it just as well in a translation. But as the beauties of poetry cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written, we learn the language.

Consider what importance to society the chastity of women is. Upon that all the property in the world depends. We hang a thief for stealing a sheep; but the unchastity of a woman transfers sheep and farm and all from the right owner.