It is indeed certain, that whoever attempts any common topick, will find unexpected coincidences of his thoughts with those of other writers; nor can the nicest judgment always distinguish accidental similitude from artful imitation.

The authour who imitates his predecessors only by furnishing himself with thoughts and elegances out of the same general magazine of literature, can with little more propriety be reproached as a plagiary, than the architect can be censured as a mean copier of Angelo or Wren, because he digs his marble out of the same quarry, squares his stones by the same art, and unites them in columns of the same orders.

A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity.

From all our observations we may collect with certainty, that misery is the lot of man, but cannot discover in what particular condition it will find most alleviations.

The heroes of literary history have been no less remarkable for what they have suffered than for what they have achieved.

No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring.

The hour of reformation is always delayed; every delay gives vice another opportunity of fortifying itself by habit.