Quote collection
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"Such are the vicissitudes of the world, through all its parts, that day and night, labor and rest, hurry and retirement, endear each other; such are the changes that keep the mind in action: we desire, we pursue, we obtain, we are satiated; we desire something else and begin a new pursuit."
"Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach."
"Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties."
"A man used to vicissitudes is not easily dejected."
"Books like friends, should be few and well-chosen."
"Knock the 't' off the 'can't.'"
"If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair."
"Lexicographer: a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge, that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words."
"He that will enjoy the brightness of sunshine, must quit the coolness of the shade."
"Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye."
"I love the acquaintance of young people; because, in the first place, I do not like to think myself growing old. In the next place, young acquaintances must last longest, if they do last; and then, sir, young men have more virtue than old men; they have more generous sentiments in every respect."
"No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it.... There is a remedy in human nature against tyranny, that will keep us safe under every form of government."
"It is the just doom of laziness and gluttony to be inactive without ease and drowsy without tranquility."
"Nature has given women so much power that the law has very wisely given them little."
"Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it."
"Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument."
"Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation."
"The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality."
"Languages are the pedigree of nations."
"A lexicographer, a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge."