...were these Essays of mine considerable enough to deserve a critical judgment, it might then, I think, fallout that they would not much take with common and vulgar capacities, nor be very acceptable to the singular and excellent sort of men; the first would not understand them enough, and the last too much; and so they may hover in the middle region.

We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship, for to undertake to wound or offend a man for his own good is to have a healthy love for him.

We every day and every hour say things of another that we might more properly say of ourselves, could we but apply our observations to our own concerns.

Every place swarms with commentaries; of authors there is great scarcity.

Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge ourselves with railing against it.