“I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.”

“I would rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the allegorical paintings they can show me in the world.”

“There is nothing so minute or inconsiderable that I would not rather know it than not know it.”

“The best part of every author is in general to be found in his book, I assure you.”

“Quotation is the highest compliment you can pay an author.”

“Fancy can hardly forbear to conjecture with what temper Milton surveyed the silent progress of his work, and marked his reputation stealing its way in a kind of subterraneous current through fear and silence. I cannot but conceive him calm and confident, little disappointed, not at all dejected, relying on his own great merit with steady consciousness, and waiting, without impatience, the vicissitudes of opinion, and the impartiality of a future generation.”

“If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.”