Scotland by no means escaped the fate ordained for every country which is connected, but not incorporated, with another country of greater resources.

Language is the machine of the poet.

The ascendency of the sacerdotal order was long the ascendency which naturally and properly belonged to intellectual superiority.

Mere negation, mere Epicurean infidelity, as Lord Bacon most justly observes, has never disturbed the peace of the world. It furnishes no motive for action; it inspires no enthusiasm; it has no missionaries, no crusades, no martyrs.

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.

The Saviour of mankind Himself, in whose blameless life malice could find no act to impeach, has been called in question for words spoken.

The end of government is the happiness of the people.