Every man speaks and writes with intent to be understood; and it can seldom happen but he that understands himself, might convey his notions to another, if, content to be understood, he did not seek to be admired; but when once he begins to contrive how his sentiments may be received, not with most ease to his reader, but with most advantage to himself, he then transfers his consideration from words to sounds, from sentences to periods, and, as he grows more elegant, becomes less intelligible.

Dishonor waits on perfidy. A man should blush to think a falsehood; it is the crime of cowards.

It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.

An author places himself uncalled before the tribunal of criticism and solicits fame at the hazard of disgrace.

No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is dressed.

In this work are exhibited, in a very high degree, the two most engaging powers of an author. New things are made familiar, and familiar things are made new.

The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality.