Nature and nature's laws lay hid in the night. God said, Let Newton be! and all was light!
The ruling passion, be it what it will. The ruling passion conquers reason still.
Get place and wealth, if possible with grace; if not, by any means get wealth and place.
Those move easiest who have learn'd to dance.
The proper study of Mankind is Man.
A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the crowd, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.
The learned is happy, nature to explore; The fool is happy, that he knows no more.
And die of nothing but a rage to live.
Some old men, continually praise the time of their youth. In fact, you would almost think that there were no fools in their days, but unluckily they themselves are left as an example.
The same ambition can destroy or save, and make a patriot as it makes a knave.
How shall I lose the sin, yet keep the sense, and love the offender, yet detest the offence?
In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold; Alike fantastic, if too new, or old: Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
The hungry judges soon the sentence sign, and wretches hang that jurymen may dine.
Passions are the gales of life.
They dream in courtship, but in wedlock wake.
Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?
To observations which ourselves we make, we grow more partial for th' observer's sake.
Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed was the ninth beatitude.
An honest man's the noblest work of God.
On life's vast ocean diversely we sail. Reasons the card, but passion the gale.
Honor and shame from no condition rise. Act well your part: there all the honor lies.
I find myself hoping a total end of all the unhappy divisions of mankind by party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few.
A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
At ev'ry word a reputation dies.
A brain of feathers, and a heart of lead.
No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.
Never was it given to mortal man - To lie so boldly as we women can.
The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head.