It ought to be the first endeavour of a writer to distinguish nature from custom; or that which is established because it is right, from that which is right only because it is established; that he may neither violate essential principles by a desire of novelty, nor debar himself from the attainment of beauties within his view, by a needless fear of breaking rules which no literary dictator had authority to enact.

The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.

I have always said the first Whig was the Devil.

Justice is indispensably and universally necessary, and what is necessary must always be limited, uniform, and distinct

They make a rout about universal liberty, without considering that all that is to be valued, or indeed can be enjoyed by individuals, is private liberty.

By forbearing to do what may innocently be done, we may add hourly new vigor to resolution.

Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements be requisite, if it be considered how much happiness is gained, and how much misery escaped, by frequent and violent agitation of the body.