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.

I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.

Nothing is more idle than to inquire after happiness, which nature has kindly placed within our reach.

It is not the desire of new acquisitions, but the glory of conquests, that fires the soldier's breast; as indeed the town is seldom worth much, when it has suffered the devastations of a siege.

Nobody can be taught faster than he can learn.

Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor; but even supposing knowledge to be easily attainable, more people would be content to be ignorant than would take even a little trouble to acquire it.

A man who both spends and saves money is the happiest man, because he has both enjoyments.