A transition from an author's book to his conversation, is too often like an entrance into a large city.

The peculiar doctrine of Christianity is that of a universal sacrifice and perpetual propitiation.

A contempt of the monuments and the wisdom of the past, may be justly reckoned one of the reigning follies of these days, to which pride and idleness have equally contributed.

The appearance and retirement of actors are the great events of the theatrical world; and their first performances fill the pit with conjecture and prognostication, as the first actions of a new monarch agitate nations with hope and fear.

Suspicion is very often a useless pain.

Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal.

But to the particular species of excellence men are directed, not by an ascendant planet or predominating humour, but by the first book which they read, some early conversation which they heard, or some accident which excited ardour and emulation.