Levellers wish to level down as far as themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.

Much is due to those who first broke the way to knowledge, and left only to their successors the task of smoothing it.

You may translate books of science exactly. ... The beauties of poetry cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written.

To do nothing is in everyone's power.

To have the management of the mind is a great art, and it may be attained in a considerable degree by experience and habitual exercise.

We have now learned that rashness and imprudence will not be deterred from taking credit; let us try whether fraud and avarice may be more easily restrained from giving it.

Admiration must be continued by that novelty which first produces it; and how much soever is given, there must always be reason to imagine that more remains.