When the original is well chosen and judiciously copied, the imitator often arrives at excellence which he could never have attained without direction; for few are formed with abilities to discover new possibilities of excellence, and to distinguish themselves by means never tried before.

The roads of science are narrow, so that they who travel them, must wither follow or meet one another.

Excise: A hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom excise is paid.

No evil is insupportable but that which is accompanied with consciousness of wrong.

When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

All industry must be excited by hope.