As to the Christian religion, besides the strong evidence which we have for it, there is a balance in its favor from the number of great men who have been convinced of its truth after a serious consideration of the question. Grotius was an acute man, a lawyer, a man accustomed to examine evidence, and he was convinced. Grotius was not a recluse, but a man of the world, who certainly had no bias on the side of religion. Sir Isaac Newton set out an infidel, and came to be a very firm believer.

Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent. He has facts ready to his hand; so there is no exercise of invention. Imagination is not required in any degree; only about as much as is used in the lowest kinds of poetry. Some penetration, accuracy, and coloring, will fit a man for the task, if he can give the application which is necessary.

I believe it will be found that those who marry late are best pleased with their children; and those who marry early, with their partners.

I hope I shall never be deterred from detecting what I think a cheat, by the menaces of a ruffian.

The return of my birthday, if I remember it, fills me with thoughts which it seems to be the general care of humanity to escape.

This was a good dinner enough, to be sure, but it was not a dinner to ask a man to.

A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.