Life passes in petty transactions; there very seldom emerges any occasion that can call forth great virtue or great abilities.

I have lived to see such a change in the manners of women.

Truth is, indeed, not often welcome for its own sake; it is generally unpleasing, because contrary to our wishes and opposite to our practice.

The general resemblance of the sound to the sense is to be found in every language which admits of poetry.

To convince any man against his will is hard, but to please him against his will is above the reach of human abilities.

It has been long observed, that the idea of beauty is vague and undefined, different in different minds, and diversified by time or place.

Hope was a steady friend of the disappointed, and Impudence incited them to accept a second invitation, and lay their claim again before Patronage

If the poetry of Milton be examined, it will appear that he has performed all that our language would admit.

There must be a time in which every man trifles; and the only choice that nature offers us, is, to trifle in company or alone.

Confirmed and animated by this illustrious precedent, I shall continue my inquiries into Milton’s art of versification.