The wickedness of a loose or profane author is more atrocious than that of a giddy libertine or drunken ravisher, not only because it extends its effects wider, as a pestilence that taints the air is more destructive than poison infused in a draught, but because it is committed with cool deliberation.

Wit is that which has been often thought, but never before was well expressed.

If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.

The liberty of using harmless pleasure will not be disputed; but it is still to be examined what pleasures are harmless.

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

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

For life affords no higher pleasure, than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking, has his fatigues first supported by hope, and afterwards rewarded by joy... To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.