If a man could say nothing against a character but what he can prove, history could not be written.

No man is without some quality, by the due application of which he might deserve well of the world; and whoever he be that has but little in his power should be in haste to do that little, lest he be confounded with him that can do nothing.

Ancient travelers guessed; modern travelers measure.

Thought is always troublesome to him who lives without his own approbation.

As not every instance of similitude can be considered as a proof of imitation, so not every imitation ought to be stigmatised as plagiarism. The adoption of a noble sentiment, or the insertion of a borrowed ornament, may sometimes display so much judgment as will almost compensate for invention; and an inferior genius may, without any imputation of servility, pursue the paths of the ancients, provided he declines to tread in their footsteps.

He who is extravagant will quickly become poor; and poverty will enforce dependence, and invite corruption.

He that teaches us anything which we knew not before is undoubtedly to be reverenced as a master.