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

The life of a conscientious clergyman is not easy. I have always considered a clergyman as the father of a larger family than he is able to maintain. I would rather have chancery suits upon my hands than the cure of souls.

Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well.

Few faults of style, whether real or imaginary, excite the malignity of a more numerous class of readers, than the use of hard words.

The gratification which affluence of wealth, extent of power, and eminence of reputation confer, must be always, by their own nature, confined to a very small number; and the life of the greater part of mankind must be lost in empty wishes and painful comparisons, were not the balm of philosophy shed upon us, and our discontent at the appearances of unequal distribution soothed and appeased.

Life, however short, is made still shorter by waste of time.

The longer we live the more we think and the higher the value we put on friendship and tenderness towards parents and friends.