The natural progress of the works of men is from rudeness to convenience, from convenience to elegance, and from elegance to nicety.

No man hates him at whom he can laugh.

Sir, what is poetry? Why, Sir, it is much easier to say what it is not. We all know what light is; but it is not easy to tell what it is.

When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints, but exert your whole care to hide it; by endeavouring to hide it; you will dry it away. Be always busy.

People in general do not willingly read if they have anything else to amuse them.

An infallible characteristic of meanness is cruelty.

The authors that in any nation last from age to age are very few, because there are very few that have any other claim to notice than that they catch hold on present curiosity, and gratify some accidental desire, or produce some temporary conveniency.