Few men survey themselves with so much severity as not to admit prejudices in their own favor.

Courtesy and good-humour are often found with little real worth.

He who attempts to do all will waste his life in doing little.

Such is the pleasure of projecting that many content themselves with a succession of visionary schemes, and wear out their allotted time in the calm amusement of contriving what they never attempt or hope to execute.

The gratification of curiosity rather frees us from uneasiness than confers pleasure; we are more pained by ignorance than delighted by instruction. Curiosity is the thirst of the soul; it inflames and torments us, and makes us taste every thing with joy, however otherwise insipid, by which it may be quenched.

Nothing has tended more to retard the advancement of science than the disposition in vulgar minds to vilify what they cannot comprehend.

Most men think indistinctly, and therefore cannot speak with exactness . . .