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

In all pleasures hope is a considerable part.

Few moments are more pleasing than those in which the mind is concerting measures for a new undertaking.

Human experience, which is constantly contradicting theory, is the great test of truth. A system, built upon the discoveries of a great many minds, is always of more strength, than what is produced by the mere workings of any one mind, which, of itself, can do very little. There is not so poor a book in the world that would not be a prodigious effort were it wrought out entirely by a single mind, without the aid of prior investigators.

Most men are more willing to indulge in easy vices than to practise laborious virtues.

Sir, as a man advances in life, he gets what is better than admiration, - judgement, to estimate things at their true value.

Genius is that energy which collects, combines, amplifies, and animates.