Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.

To write is, indeed, no unpleasing employment, when one sentiment readily produces another, and both ideas and expressions present themselves at the first summons; but such happiness, the greatest genius does not always obtain; and common writers know it only to such a degree, as to credit its possibility. Composition is, for the most part, an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.

We seldom require more to the happiness of the present hour than to surpass him that stands next before us.

No man can perform so little as not to have reason to congratulate himself on his merits, when he beholds the multitude that live in total idleness, and have never yet endeavoured to be useful.

In the bottle discontent seeks for comfort, cowardice for courage, and bashfulness for confidence.

No man reads a book of science from pure inclination. The books that we do read with pleasure are light compositions, which contain a quick succession of events.

No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance.