At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest.

Disease generally begins that equality which death completes.

Allegories drawn to great length will always break.

I wish you would add an index rerum, that when the reader recollects any incident he may easily find it.

When emulation leads us to strive for self-elevation by merit alone, and not by belittling another, then it is one of the grandest possible incentives to action.

A man is in general better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table, than when his wife talks Greek.

The power, indeed, of every individual is small, and the consequence of his endeavours imperceptible, in a general prospect of the world. Providence has given no man ability to do much, that something might be left for every man to do. The business of life is carried on by a general co-operation; in which the part of any single man can be no more distinguished, than the effect of a particular drop when the meadows are floated by a summer shower: yet every drop increases the inundation, and every hand adds to the happiness or misery of mankind.