And the weak soul, within itself unbless’d, Leans for all pleasure on another’s breast.
The wisdom of the ignorant somewhat resembles the instinct of animals; it is diffused in but a very narrow sphere, but within the circle it acts with vigor, uniformity, and success.
It is not easy to recover an art when once lost.
How wide the limits stand Between a splendid and a happy land.
One writer, for instance, excels at a plan or a title page, another works away at the body of the book, and a third is a dab at an index.
To husband out life’s taper at the close, And keep the flames from wasting by repose.
Books are necessary to correct the vices of the polite; but those vices are ever changing, and the antidote should be changed accordingly should still be new.
In proportion as society refines, new books must ever become more necessary.
The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made.
How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labour with an age of ease!
The more various our artificial necessities, the wider is our circle of pleasure; for all pleasure consists in obviating necessities as they rise; luxury, therefore, as it increases our wants, increases our capacity for happiness.
Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, I see the lords of humankind pass by.
One should not quarrel with a dog without a reason sufficient to vindicate one through all the courts of morality.
In a polite age almost every person becomes a reader, and receives more instruction from the Press than the Pulpit.
Nobody with me at sea but myself.
Villainy, when detected, never gives up, but boldly adds impudence to imposture.
Our bounty, like a drop of water, disappears, when diffus’d too widely.
To a philosopher no circumstance, however trifling, is too minute.
By every remove I only drag a greater length of chain.
Though very poor, may still be very blest.