A little praise is good for a shy temper; it teaches it to rely on the kindness of others.

Political men, like goats, usually thrive best among inequalities.

Of all failures, to fail in a witticism is the worst, and the mishap is the more calamitous in a drawn-out and detailed one

Despotism sits nowhere so secure as under the effigy and ensigns of freedom.

Falsehood is for a season.

Teach him to live unto God and unto thee; and he will discover that women, like the plants in woods, derive their softness and tenderness from the shade.

A critic is never too severe when he only detects the faults of an author. But he is worse than too severe when, in consequence of this detection, be presumes to place himself on a level with genius.