Satire is, indeed, the only sort of composition in which the Latin poets whose works have come down to us were not mere imitators of foreign models; and it is therefore the sort of composition in which they have never been excelled.

As civilization advances, poetry almost necessarily declines.

An acre in Middlesex is better than a principality in Utopia.

The impenetrable stupidity of Prince George (son-in-law of James II) served his turn. It was his habit, when any news was told him, to exclaim, "Est il possible?"-"Is it possible?"

The highest eulogy which can be pronounced on the Revolution of 1688 is this that this was our last Revolution.

We must judge a government by its general tendencies and not by its happy accidents.

I shall cheerfully bear the reproach of having descended below the dignity of history.