Words too familiar, or too remote, defeat the purpose of a poet.

Authors and lovers always suffer some infatuation, from which only absence can set them free.

Every man wishes to be wise, and they who cannot be wise are almost always cunning.

Madam, before you flatter a man so grossly to his face, you should consider whether or not your flattery is worth his having.

Frequent discontent must proceed from frequent hardships.

The wickedness of a loose or profane author is more atrocious than that of a giddy libertine or drunken ravisher, not only because it extends its effects wider, as a pestilence that taints the air is more destructive than poison infused in a draught, but because it is committed with cool deliberation.

His death eclipsed the gayety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.