A Scotchman must be a very sturdy moralist who does not love Scotland better than truth.

It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground. To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends.

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

Unintelligible language is a lantern without a light.

Few men survey themselves with so much severity as not to admit prejudices in their own favour, which an artful flatterer may gradually strengthen, till wishes for a particular qualification are improved to hopes of attainment, and hopes of attainment to belief of possession.

Judgment is forced upon us by experience

Truth, such as is necessary to the reputation of life, is always found where it is honestly sought.