Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.

Any of us would kill a cow rather than not have beef.

There is nothing against which an old man should be so much upon his guard as putting himself to nurse.

Too much nicety of detail disgusts the greatest part of readers, and to throw a multitude of particulars under general heads, and lay down rules of extensive comprehension, is to common understandings of little use.

Peevishness may be considered the canker of life, that destroys its vigor and checks its improvement; that creeps on with hourly depredations, and taints and vitiates what it cannot consume.

The usual fortune of complaint is to excite contempt more than pity.

For patience, sov'reign o'er transmuted ill.