Among the lower classes of mankind there will be found very little desire of any other knowledge than what may contribute immediately to the relief of some pressing uneasiness, or the attainment of some near advantage.

When I first collected these authorities, I was desirous that every quotation should be useful to some other end than the illustration of a word; I therefore extracted from philosophers principles of science; from historians remarkable facts; from chymists complete processes; from divines striking exhortations; and from poets beautiful descriptions.

Whoever envies another confesses his superiority.

A man ought to read just as inclination leads him, for what he reads as a task will do him little good.

Quotation is a good thing, there is a community of thought in it.

A successful author is equally in danger of the diminution of his fame, whether he continues or ceases to write.

Life is barren enough surely with all her trappings; let us be therefore cautious of how we strip her.