A successful author is equally in danger of the diminution of his fame, whether he continues or ceases to write. The regard of the public is not to be kept but by tribute, and the remembrance of past service will quickly languish unless successive performances frequently revive it. Yet in every new attempt there is new hazard, and there are few who do not, at some unlucky time, injure their own characters by attempting to enlarge them.

Ease, a neutral state between pain and pleasure ... if it is not rising into pleasure will be falling towards pain.

Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance.

Since every man is obliged to promote happiness and virtue, he should be careful not to mislead unwary minds, by appearing to set too high a value upon things by which no real excellence is conferred.

You can never be wise unless you love reading.

Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise.

Tomorrow is an old deceiver, and his cheat never grows stale.