All envy would be extinguished, if it were universally known that there are none to be envied.

The love of fame is a passion natural and universal, which no man, however high or mean, however wise or ignorant, was yet able to despise.

Extended empires are like expanded gold, exchanging solid strength for feeble splendor.

In the motive lies the good or ill.

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

The heroes of literary history have been no less remarkable for what they have suffered than for what they have achieved.

I do not much wish well to discoveries, for I am always afraid they will end in conquest and robbery.