I am far from any intention to limit curiosity, or confine the labours of learning to arts of immediate and necessary use. It is only from the various essays of experimental industry, and the vague excursions of mind set upon discovery, that any advancement of knowledge can be expected; and though many must be disappointed in their labours, yet they are not to be charged with having spent their time in vain; their example contributed to inspire emulation, and their miscarriage taught others the way to success.

A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but, one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.

Try and forget our cares and sickness, and contribute, as we can to the happiness of each other.

Political liberty is only good insofar as it produces private liberty.

Friends are often chosen for similitude of manners, and therefore each palliates the other's failings because they are his own.

A man may be so much of everything that he is nothing of anything.

Words become low by the occasions to which they are applied, or the general character of them who use them; and the disgust which they produce arises from the revival of those images with which they are commonly united.