Much is due to those who first broke the way to knowledge, and left only to their successors the task of smoothing it.

There are few minds to which tyranny is not delightful.

There prevails among men of letters, an opinion, that all appearance of science is particularly hateful to Women; and that therefore whoever desires to be well received in female assemblies, must qualify himself by a total rejection of all that is serious, rational, or important; must consider argument or criticism as perpetually interdicted; and devote all his attention to trifles, and all his eloquence to compliment.

Self-love is often rather arrogant than blind; it does not hide our faults from ourselves, but persuades us that they escape the notice of others.

The wise man applauds he who he thinks most virtuous; the rest of the world applauds the wealthy.

He is not only dull himself, but the cause of dulness in others.

No man is without some quality, by the due application of which he might deserve well of the world; and whoever he be that has but little in his power should be in haste to do that little, lest he be confounded with him that can do nothing.