Such is the state of every age, every sex, and every condition: all have their cares, either from nature or from folly; and whoever, therefore, finds himself inclined to envy another, should remember that he knows not the real condition which he desires to obtain, but is certain that by indulging a vicious passion, he must lessen that happiness which he thinks already too sparingly bestowed.

Marriage is the best state for man in general, and every man is a worst man in proportion to the level he is unfit for marriage.

Truth, like beauty, varies its fashions, and is best recommended by different dresses to different minds; and he that recalls the attention of mankind to any part of learning which time has left behind it, may be truly said to advance the literatures of his own age. As the manners of nations vary, new topicks of persuasion become necessary, and new combinations of imagery are produced; and he that can accommodate himself to the reigning taste, may always have readers who perhaps would not have looked upon better performances.

To a people warlike and indigent, an incursion into a rich country is never hurtful.

Come, let me know what it is that makes a Scotch man happy!

Being reproached for giving to an unworthy person, Aristotle said, I did not give it to the man, but to humanity.

Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.