“ Difficult do you call it, Sir? I wish it were impossible. [on hearing a famous violinist] ”
I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.
~ Samuel Johnson
In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.
Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.
Whoever thou art that, not content with a moderate condition, imaginest happiness in royal magnificence, and dreamest that command or riches can feed the appetite of novelty with perpetual gratifications, survey the Pyramids, and confess thy folly!
