I am not so lost in lexicography as to forget that words are the daughters of earth, and that things are the sons of heaven.

In general those parents have the most reverence who most deserve it; for he that lives well cannot be despised.

What is said upon a subject is gathered from an hundred people.

Instead of rating the man by his performances, we rate too frequently the performances by the man.

Genius, that power which constitutes a poet; that quality without which judgment is cold, and knowledge is inert; that energy which collects, combines, amplifies and animates.

When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints, but exert your whole care to hide it; by endeavouring to hide it; you will dry it away. Be always busy.

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