The business of a poet is to examine not the individual but the species; to remark general properties and large appearances.

Virtue is too often merely local.

The really happy woman is the one who can enjoy the scenery when she has to take a detour. Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but rather a manner of traveling.

In general those parents have the most reverence who most deserve it; for he that lives well cannot be despised.

Fear naturally quickens the flight of guilt.

To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.

It is commonly supposed that the uniformity of a studious life affords no matter for narration: but the truth is, that of the most studious life a great part passes without study. An author partakes of the common condition of humanity; he is born and married like another man; he has hopes and fears, expectations and disappointments, griefs and joys, and friends and enemies, like a courtier or a statesman; nor can I conceive why his affairs shuld not excite curiosity as much as the whisper of a drawing-room, or the factions of a camp.