How easily and cleverly do I write just now! I am really pleased with myself; words come skipping to me like lambs upon Moffat Hil...l; and I turn my periods smoothly and imperceptibly like a skilful wheelwright turning tops in a turning-loom. There's fancy! There's simile!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Go! dive into the Southern Sea, and when Th'ast found, to trouble the nice sight of men,... A swelling pearl, and such whose single worth Boasts all the wonders which the seas bring forth, Give it Endymion's love, whose ev'ry tear Would more enrich the skilful jeweller.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
You have observed a skilful man reading Virgil. Well, that author is a thousand books to a thousand persons. Take the book into yo...ur two hands, and read your eyes out; you will never find what I find.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society, depend so mu...ch upon an upright and skilful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely kee...p to the tracks of others or emulate the prowess of their models. So a prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it. He should behave like those archers who, if they are skilful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man upon crossing his App...etites and subduing his dearest Inclinations, but the skilful Management of wary Politicians; and the nearer we search into human Nature, the more we shall be convinced, that the Moral Virtues are the Political Offspring which Flattery begot upon Pride.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
There is ... in every child a painstaking teacher, so skilful that he obtains identical results in all children in all parts of th...e world. The only language men ever speak perfectly is the one they learn in babyhood, when no one can teach them anything!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »