He who trusts secrets to a servant makes him his master.
For truth has such a face and such a mien, as to be loved needs only to be seen.
Since a true knowledge of nature gives us pleasure, a lively imitation of it, either in poetry or painting, must produce a much greater; for both these arts are not only true imitations of nature, but of the best nature.
Griefs assured are felt before they come.
To die for faction is a common evil, But to be hanged for nonsense is the devil.
Nothing to build, and all things to destroy.
But Shakespeare’s magic could not copied be; Within that circle none durst walk but he.
For what can power give more than food and drink, To live at ease, and not be bound to think?
Nor is the people’s judgment always true: the most may err as grossly as the few.
Farewell, too little, and too lately known, Whom I began to think and call my own.
A man is to be cheated into passion, but to be reasoned into truth.
Men are but children of a larger growth, Our appetites as apt to change as theirs, And full as craving too, and full as vain.
Content with poverty, my soul I arm; And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.
Riches cannot rescue from the grave, which claims alike the monarch and the slave.
Forgiveness to the injured does belong; but they ne’er pardon who have done wrong.
Reason is a crutch for age, but youth is strong enough to walk alone.
While I am compassed round With mirth, my soul lies hid in shades of grief, Whence, like the bird of night, with half-shut eyes, She peeps, and sickens at the sight of day.
A knock-down argument; ’tis but a word and a blow.
Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.
For Art may err, but Nature cannot miss.