“Oats. A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.”

“The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!”

“Men are generally idle, and ready to satisfy themselves, and intimidate the industry of others, by calling that impossible which is only difficult.”

“A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.”

“It is strange that there should be so little reading in the world, and so much writing. People in general do not willingly read, if they can have any thing else to amuse them.”

“The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it; for, however absurd it may be thought to boast an honour by an act which shows that it was conferred without merit, yet most men seem rather inclined to confess the want of virtue than of importance.”

“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.”