A man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century.
This avidity alone, of acquiring goods and possessions for ourselves and our nearest friends, is insatiable, perpetual, universal, and directly destructive of society.
No advantages in this world are pure and unmixed.
The advantages found in history seem to be of three kinds, as it amuses the fancy, as it improves the understanding, and as it strengthens virtue.
Eloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself entirely to the desires and affections, captivating the willing hearers, and subduing their understanding.
That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction, than the affirmation, that it will rise.
What a peculiar privilege has this little agitation of the brain which we call 'thought'.
Men are much oftener thrown on their knees by the melancholy than by the agreeable passions.
Truth springs from argument amongst friends.
The chief benefit, which results from philosophy, arises in an indirect manner, and proceeds more from its secret, insensible influence, than from its immediate application.
Belief is nothing but a more vivid, lively, forcible, firm, steady conception of an object, than what the imagination alone is ever able to attain.
The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one.
Avarice, the spur of industry.
There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.
A purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker.
He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper; but he Is more excellent who suits his temper to any circumstance.
The rules of morality are not the conclusion of our reason.
The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.
Custom is the great guide to human life.
It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom.
