Knowledge always desires increase, it is like fire, which must first be kindled by some external agent, but which will afterwards propagate itself.

The animadversions of critics are commonly such as may easily provoke the sedatest writer to some quickness of resentment and asperity of reply.

Whatever professes to benefit by pleasing must please at once. The pleasures of the mind imply something sudden and unexpected; that which elevates must always surprise.

It is as bad as bad can be: it is ill-fed, ill-killed, ill-kept, and ill-drest.

Tears are often to be found where there is little sorrow, and the deepest sorrow without any tears.

We found in the course of our journey the convenience of having disencumbered ourselves, by laying aside whatever we could spare; for it is not to be imagined without experience, how in climbing crags and treading bogs, and winding through narrow and obstructed passages, a little bulk will hinder, and a little weight will burden; or how often a man that has pleased himself at home with his own resolution, will, in the hour of darkness and fatigue, be content to leave behind him everything but himself.

I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know deserves it, but I am afraid he is an attorney.