And though thou notest from thy safe recess old friends burn dim, like lamps in noisome air love them for what they are; nor love them less, because to thee they are not what they were.

Why aren't more gems from our great authors scattered over the country? Great books aren't within everybody's reach.

The definition of good prose is proper words in their proper places; of good verse, the most proper words in their proper places.The propriety is in either case relative. The words in prose ought to express the intended meaning, and no more; if they attract attention to themselves, it is, in general, a fault.

Creation rather than painting, or if painting, yet such, and with such co-presence of the whole picture flash'd at once upon the eye, as the sun paints in a camera obscura. (Describing his poetic ideal, 1817)

Plagiarists are always suspicious of being stolen from.

We must follow the old authorities and precedents in criminal matters.

Alas! they had been friends in youth; but whispering tongues can poison truth.