“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.”

The sooner you treat your son as a man, the sooner he will be one.

Faith is to believe what you do not yet see: the reward for this faith is to see what you believe. Thus all below is strength, and all above is grace.

He was exhaled; his great Creator drew His spirit, as the sun the morning dew.

All objects lose by too familiar a view.

Old age creeps on us where we think it night.

Courage from hearts and not from numbers grows.

Plots, true or false, are necessary things, To raise up commonwealths and ruin kings.

Love and Time with reverence use, Treat them like a parting friend: Nor the golden gifts refuse Which in youth sincere they send: For each year their price is more, And they less simple than before.

Keen appetite And quick digestion wait on you and yours.

Not sharp revenge, nor hell itself can find, A fiercer torment than a guilty mind, Which day and night doth dreadfully accuse, Condemns the wretch, and still the charge renews.

Griefs assured are felt before they come.

Truth is the object of our understanding, as good is of our will; and the understanding can no more be delighted with a lie than the will can choose an apparent evil.

War seldom enters but where wealth allures.

Desire of greatness is a godlike sin.

He is a perpetual fountain of good sense.

For Art may err, but Nature cannot miss.

I was a little one-trick pony. I do what I’ve always done. That’s really where my best stuff comes from. I don’t know how it happens. It just happens.

My dad is the best and funniest newspaper columnist. There is nobody anywhere near as good.

In the misfortunes of our best friends we always find something not altogether displeasing to us.

I spent three of the best years of my life in 10th grade.

Habit is the best thing for you if you’re trying to write prose.

Any top-level athlete, it’s always the same. There’s always that hint of arrogance there… It’s hard to be humble when you’re the best.

The best and brightest don’t go into politics. The best and brightest are at Goldman Sachs.

The best parts about writing a show are [its] first, second and 10th anniversaries.