Books have always a secret influence on the understanding.

Poetry cannot be translated; and, therefore, it is the poets that preserve the languages; for we would not be at the trouble to learn a language if we could have all that is written in it just as well in a translation. But as the beauties of poetry cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written, we learn the language.

A man of genius has been seldom ruined but by himself.

Life, to be worthy of a rational being, must be always in progression; we must always purpose to do more or better than in time past.

He that pines with hunger, is in little care how others shall be fed. The poor man is seldom studious to make his grandson rich.

The true art of memory is the art of attention.

The gratification which affluence of wealth, extent of power, and eminence of reputation confer, must be always, by their own nature, confined to a very small number; and the life of the greater part of mankind must be lost in empty wishes and painful comparisons, were not the balm of philosophy shed upon us, and our discontent at the appearances of unequal distribution soothed and appeased.