Among those whose reputation is exhausted in a short time by its own luxuriance are the writers who take advantage of present incidents or characters which strongly interest the passions, and engage universal attention. It is not difficult to obtain readers, when we discuss a question which every one is desirous to understand, which is debated in every assembly, and has divided the nation into parties; or when we display the faults or virtues of him whose public conduct has made almost every man his enemy or his friend.

As the greatest liar tells more truths than falsehoods, so may it be said of the worst man, that he does more good than evil.

Go into the street, and give one man a lecture on morality, and another a shilling, and see which will respect you most.

Poverty has, in large cities, very different appearances; it is often concealed in splendour, and often in extravagance.

He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage.

Those whose abilities or knowledge incline them most to deviate from the general round of life are recalled from eccentricity by the laws of their existence.

It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.