A country is in a bad state, which is governed only by laws; because a thousand things occur for which laws cannot provide, and where authority ought to interpose.

Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.

All argument is against it; but all belief is for it.

Assertion is not argument; to contradict the statement of an opponent is not proof that you are correct.

Knowledge always desires increase, it is like fire, which must first be kindled by some external agent, but which will afterwards propagate itself.

Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes, And pause awhile from letters, to be wise.

There is scarcely any writer who has not celebrated the happiness of rural privacy, and delighted himself and his reader with the melody of birds, the whisper of groves, and the murmur of rivulets.