We found in the course of our journey the convenience of having disencumbered ourselves, by laying aside whatever we could spare; for it is not to be imagined without experience, how in climbing crags and treading bogs, and winding through narrow and obstructed passages, a little bulk will hinder, and a little weight will burden; or how often a man that has pleased himself at home with his own resolution, will, in the hour of darkness and fatigue, be content to leave behind him everything but himself.

A man had rather have a hundred lies told of him than one truth which he does not wish should be told.

In all evils which admit a remedy, impatience is to be avoided, because it wastes that time and attention in complaints, that, if properly applied might remove the cause.

[W]ith an unquiet mind, neither exercise, nor diet, nor physick can be of much use.

He that shall peruse the political pamphlets of any past reign will wonder why they were so eagerly read, or so loudly praised.

Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, sickness and captivity would, without this comfort, be insupportable.

The care of the critic should be to distinguish error from inability, faults of inexperience from defects of nature.