General irregularities are known in time to remedy themselves. By the constitution of ancient Egypt, the priesthood was continually increasing, till at length there was no people beside themselves; the establishment was then dissolved, and the number of priests was reduced and limited. Thus among us, writers will, perhaps, be multiplied, till no readers will be found, and then the ambition of writing must necessarily cease.

A family ... is a little kingdom, torn with factions and exposed to revolutions.

I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.

Time is, of all modes of existence, most obsequious to the imagination.

Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.

What we read with inclination makes a much stronger impression. If we read without inclination, half the mind is employed in fixing the attention; so there is but one half to be employed on what we read.

The joy of life is variety.