The gratification of curiosity rather frees us from uneasiness than confers pleasure; we are more pained by ignorance than delighted by instruction. Curiosity is the thirst of the soul; it inflames and torments us, and makes us taste every thing with joy, however otherwise insipid, by which it may be quenched.

The end of writing is to instruct; the end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing.

Dogs have not the power of comparing. A dog will take a small piece of meat as readily as a large, when both are before him.

By forbearing to do what may innocently be done, we may add hourly new vigor to resolution.

I advised Chambers, and would advise every young man beginning to compose, to do it as fast as he can, to get a habit of having his mind to start promptly; it is so much more difficult to improve in speed than in accuracy.

The whole of life is but keeping away the thoughts of death.

Genius is that energy which collects, combines, amplifies, and animates.