A man, doubtful of his dinner, or trembling at a creditor, is not much disposed to abstracted meditation, or remote enquiries.

What a strange narrowness of mind now is that, to think the things we have not known are better than the things we have known.

The end of writing is to instruct; the end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing.

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

Sir, he throws away his money without thought and without merit. I do not call a tree generous that sheds its fruit at every breeze.

Many falsehoods are passing into uncontradicted history.

Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people.