How well Shakespeare knew how to improve and exalt little circumstances, when he borrowed them from circumstantial or vulgar historians..

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second..

Our supreme governors, the mob..

Poetry is a beautiful way of spoiling prose, and the laborious art of exchanging plain sense for harmony..

I never found even in my juvenile hours that it was necessary to go a thousand miles in search of themes for moralizing..

I know that I have had friends who would never have vexed or betrayed me, if they had walked on all fours..

One of the greatest geniuses that ever existed, Shakespeare, undoubtedly wanted taste..

When Shakespeare copied chroniclers verbatim, it was because he knew they were good enough for his audiences. In a more polished age he who could so ….

Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot on the necks of monarchs..

We must cultivate our garden. Furia to God one day in seven allots; The other six to scandal she devotes. Satan, by false devotion never flammed, Bet….

How much on outward show does all depend, If virtues from within no lustre lend! Strip off th'externals M and Y, the rest Proves Majesty itself is bu….

Let the French but have England, and they won't want to conquer it..

Our bells are worn threadbare with ringing for victories.

It was easier to conquer it than to know what to do with it..

The Methodists love your big sinners, as proper subjects to work upon..

I have often said, and oftener think, that this world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel - a solution of why Democritus la….

The sure way of judging whether our first thoughts are judicious, is to sleep on them. If they appear of the same force the next morning as they did ….

The whole [Scotch] nation hitherto has been void of wit and humour, and even incapable of relishing it..

I firmly believe, notwithstanding all our complaints, that almost every person upon earth tastes upon the totality more happiness than misery..

I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due..

When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by nettles..