Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.

Where grief is fresh, any attempt to divert it only irritates.

Though it is evident, that not more than one age or people can deserve the censure of being more averse from learning than any other, yet at all times knowledge must have encountered impediments, and wit been mortified with contempt, or harassed with persecution.

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble.

I had rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the allegorical paintings they can show me in the world.

Excise: A hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom excise is paid.

Many falsehoods are passing into uncontradicted history.