The most heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together; nature and art are ransacked for illustrations, comparisons, and allusions; their learning instructs, and their subtlety surprises; but the reader commonly thinks his improvement dearly bought and, though he sometimes admires, is seldom pleased.

A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.

He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions.

It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentionally lying that there is so much falsehood in the world.

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

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

Rags will always make their appearance where they have a right to do it.