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

Such seems to be the disposition of man, that whatever makes a distinction produces rivalry.

We have now learned that rashness and imprudence will not be deterred from taking credit; let us try whether fraud and avarice may be more easily restrained from giving it.

It is not often that any man can have so much knowledge of another, as is necessary to make instruction useful.

Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms together, and you have St. Paul's Church. So it is with human felicity, which is made up of many ingredients, each of which may be shown to be very insignificant.

Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal; and he may be properly charged with evil who refused to learn how he might prevent it.

No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it.