Everything that enlarges the sphere of human powers, that shows man he can do what he thought he could not do, is valuable.

A transition from an author's book to his conversation is too often like an entrance into a large city, after a distant prospect. Remotely, we see nothing but spires of temples and turrets of palaces, and imagine it the residence of splendour, grandeur, and magnificence; but when we have passed the gates, we find it perplexed with narrow passages, disgraced with despicable cottages, embarrassed with obstructions, and clouded with smoke.

Invention is almost the only literary labour which blindness cannot obstruct.

An exotic and irrational entertainment.

Every man has some favorite topic of conversation, on which, by a feigned seriousness of attention, he may be drawn to expatiate without end.

True enjoyments also keep people from vice.

Shakespeare never had more than 6 lines together without a fault.