A tragedy can never suffer by delay: a comedy may, because the allusions or the manners represented in it maybe temporary.
My aversion to them...springs from the perniciousness of that sect to society-I hate Papists, as a man, not as a Protestant. If Papists were only enemies to the religion of other men, I should overlook their errors. As they are foes to liberty, I cannot forgive them.
It was said of old Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, that she never puts dots over her I s, to save ink.
Poetry is a beautiful way of spoiling prose, and the laborious art of exchanging plain sense for harmony.
Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of the passions and their operations in diversified situations.
One of the greatest geniuses that ever existed, Shakespeare, undoubtedly wanted taste.
One's mind suffers only when one is young and while one is ignorant of the world. When one has lived for some time, one learns that the young think too little and the old too much, and one grows careless about both.
Two clergymen disputing whether ordination would be valid without the imposition of both hands, the more formal one said, "Do you think the Holy Dove could fly down with only one wing?
I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due.
A careless song, with a little nonsense in it now and then, does not mis-become a monarch.
I sit with my toes in a brook, And if any one axes forwhy? I hits them a rap with my crook, For 'tis sentiment does it, says I.
The whole [Scotch] nation hitherto has been void of wit and humour, and even incapable of relishing it.
The prosecution of [Warren] Hastings, though he should escape at last, must have good effect. It will alarm the servants of the Company in India, that they may not always plunder with impunity, but that there may be a retrospect; and it will show them that even bribes of diamonds to the Crown may not secure them from prosecution.
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