“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.”

Self-defense is Nature’s eldest law.

Him of the western dome, whose weighty sense Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence.

So the false spider, when her nets are spread, deep ambushed in her silent den does lie.

Thus, while the mute creation downward bend Their sight, and to their earthly mother ten, Man looks aloft; and with erected eyes Beholds his own hereditary skies.

But Shakespeare’s magic could not copied be; Within that circle none durst walk but he.

No government has ever been, or can ever be, wherein time-servers and blockheads will not be uppermost.

Every language is so full of its own proprieties that what is beautiful in one is often barbarous, nay, sometimes nonsense, in another.

I am as free as nature first made man, Ere the base laws of servitude began, When wild in woods the noble savage ran.

If passion rules, how weak does reason prove!

So softly death succeeded life in her, She did but dream of heaven, and she was there.

Fool that I was, upon my eagle’s wings I bore this wren, till I was tired with soaring, and now he mounts above me.

Death ends our woes, and the kind grave shuts up the mournful scene.

He who would search for pearls must dive below.

But love’s a malady without a cure.

We must beat the iron while it is hot, but we may polish it at leisure.

I am resolved to grow fat and look young till forty, and then slip out of the world with the first wrinkle and the reputation of five-and-twenty.

What’s the best way to build a brand for the long term? In a word: culture.

If you can buy the best companies, over time the pricing takes care of itself.

The best place to begin is always with gratitude.

The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural.

I liked myself best with you. I fear I dislike the rest.

The best way to revive a church is to build a fire in the pulpit.

The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.

The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.