Knock the 't' off the 'can't.'

Discord generally operates in little things; it is inflamed ... by contrariety of taste oftener than principles.

He that writes may be considered as a kind of general challenger, whom every one has a right to attack; since he quits the common rank of life, steps forward beyond the lists, and offers his merit to the public judgement. To commence author is to claim praise, and no man can justly aspire to honour, but at the hazard of disgrace.

Our senses, our appetite, and our passions are our lawful and faithful guides in things that relate solely to this life.

Actions are visible, though motives are secret.

It is the quality of patriotism to be jealous and watchful, to observe all secret machinations, and to see publick dangers at a distance. The true lover of his country is ready to communicate his fears, and to sound the alarm, whenever he perceives the approach of mischief. But he sounds no alarm, when there is no enemy; he never terrifies his countrymen till he is terrified himself. The patriotism, therefore, may be justly doubted of him, who professes to be disturbed by incredibilities.

Scarcely any degree of judgment is sufficient to restrain the imagination from magnifying that on which it is long detained