The authors that in any nation last from age to age are very few, because there are very few that have any other claim to notice than that they catch hold on present curiosity, and gratify some accidental desire, or produce some temporary conveniency.

It is indeed certain, that whoever attempts any common topick, will find unexpected coincidences of his thoughts with those of other writers; nor can the nicest judgment always distinguish accidental similitude from artful imitation.

We ought not to raise expectations which it is not in our power to satisfy.-It is more pleasing to see smoke brightening into flame, than flame sinking into smoke.

The roads of science are narrow, so that they who travel them, must wither follow or meet one another.

Books without the knowledge of life are useless.

Of all the grief's that harass the distressed; sure the most bitter is a scornful jest.

All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.