The care of the critic should be to distinguish error from inability, faults of inexperience from defects of nature.

They who have already enjoyed the crowds and noise of the great city, know their desire to return is little more than the restlessness of a vacant mind, that they are not so much led by hope as driven by disgust, and wish rather to leave the country than to see the town.

It is, indeed, at home that every man must be known by those who would make a just estimate either of his virtue or felicity; for smiles and embroidery are alike occasional, and the mind is often dressed for show in painted honor, and fictitious benevolence.

Human happiness has always its abatements; the brightest sunshine of success is not without a cloud.

Whoever thinks of going to bed before twelve o'clock is a scoundrel.

A contempt of the monuments and the wisdom of the past, may be justly reckoned one of the reigning follies of these days, to which pride and idleness have equally contributed.

Every man has something to do which he neglects, every man has faults to conquer which he delays to combat.