Few of those who fill the world with books, have any pretensions to the hope either of pleasing or instructing. They have often no other task than to lay two books before them, out of which they compile a third, without any new material of their own, and with very little application of judgment to those which former authors have supplied.

Friendship is not always the sequel of obligation.

When I first collected these authorities, I was desirous that every quotation should be useful to some other end than the illustration of a word; I therefore extracted from philosophers principles of science; from historians remarkable facts; from chymists complete processes; from divines striking exhortations; and from poets beautiful descriptions.

He that will enjoy the brightness of sunshine, must quit the coolness of the shade.

The most Heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together.

An author places himself uncalled before the tribunal of criticism and solicits fame at the hazard of disgrace.

Truth, such as is necessary to the reputation of life, is always found where it is honestly sought.