Those authors who would find many readers, must endeavour to please while they instruct.

Almost every man wastes part of his life attempting to display qualities which he does not possess.

Don't think of retiring from the world until the world will be sorry that you retire. I hate a fellow whom pride or cowardice or laziness drive into a corner, and who does nothing when he is there but sit and growl. Let him come out as I do, and bark.

Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire.

Paradise Lost is a book that, once put down, is very hard to pick up again.

Grief is a species of idleness.

Do not ... hope wholly to reason away your troubles; do not feed them with attention, and they will die imperceptibly away. Fix your thoughts upon your business, fill your intervals with company, and sunshine will again break in upon your mind.