The great source of pleasure is variety.

While an author is yet living, we estimate his powers by his worst performance; and when he is dead, we rate him by his best.

Hoc age ['do this'] is the great rule, whether you are serious or merry; whether ... learning science or duty from a folio, or floating on the Thames. Intentions must be gathered from acts.

Frequent discontent must proceed from frequent hardships.

We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.

Every man has frequent grievances which only the solicitude of friendship will discover and remedy, and which would remain for ever unheeded in the mighty heap of human calamity, were it only surveyed by the eye of general benevolence equally attentive to every misery.

Of riches it is not necessary to write the praise. Let it, however, be remembered that he who has money to spare has it always in his power to benefit others, and of such power a good man must always be desirous.