Few moments are more pleasing than those in which the mind is concerting measures for a new undertaking.

Advice, as it always gives a temporary appearance of superiority, can never be very grateful, even when it is most necessary or most judicious. But for the same reason everyone is eager to instruct his neighbours. To be wise or to be virtuous is to buy dignity and importance at a high price; but when nothing is necessary to elevation but detection of the follies or faults of others, no man is so insensible to the voice of fame as to linger on the ground.

To write is, indeed, no unpleasing employment, when one sentiment readily produces another, and both ideas and expressions present themselves at the first summons; but such happiness, the greatest genius does not always obtain; and common writers know it only to such a degree, as to credit its possibility. Composition is, for the most part, an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.

He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything.

To do nothing is in everyone's power.

Read over your compositions and whenever you meet with a passage which you think is particularly fine, strike it out.

Though the wisdom or virtue of one can very rarely make many happy, the folly or vice of one man often make many miserable.