There is a certain majesty in simplicity which is far above all the quaintness of wit.
And all who told it added something new, and all who heard it, made enlargements too.
Death, only death, can break the lasting chain; And here, ev’n then, shall my cold dust remain.
Amusement is the happiness of those who cannot think.
Religion blushing, veils her sacred fires, And unawares Morality expires.
True politeness consists in being easy one’s self, and in making every one about one as easy as one can.
I was not born for courts and great affairs, but I pay my debts, believe and say my prayers.
To endeavor to work upon the vulgar with fine sense is like attempting to hew blocks with a razor.
Fine sense and exalted sense are not half so useful as common sense.
Get your enemy to read your works in order to mend them, for your friend is so much your second self that he will judge too like you.
A family is but too often a commonwealth of malignants.
Whoe’er he be That tells my faults, I hate him mortally.
Most authors steal their works, or buy.
I as little fear that God will damn a person who has charity as I hope that the priests can save one who has not.
In the nice bee, what sense so subtly true From pois’nous herbs extracts the healing dew?
Who dies in youth and vigour, dies the best.
Luxurious lobster-nights, farewell, For sober, studious days!
To be, contents his natural desire, He asks no angel’s wing, no seraph’s fire; But thinks, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog shall bear him company. Go wiser thou! and in thy scale of sense Weigh thy opinion against Providence.
On cold December fragrant chaplets blow, And heavy harvests nod beneath the snow.
We may see the small value God has for riches, by the people he gives them to.