A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity.

Pope had been flattered till he thought himself one of the moving powers of the system of life. When he talked of laying down his pen, those who sat round him intreated and implored; and self-love did not suffer him to suspect that they went away and laughed.

In civilized society we all depend upon each other, and our happiness is very much owing to the good opinion of mankind.

My diseases are an asthma and a dropsy and, what is less curable, seventy-five.

Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.

Happiness consists in the multiplicity of agreeable consciousness.

The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be much shorter than nature allows, ought to awaken every man to the active prosecution of whatever he is desirous to perform. It is true, that no diligence can ascertain success; death may intercept the swiftest career; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honest undertaking has at least the honour of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he missed the victory.