The things which ... are esteemed as the greatest good of all ... can be reduced to these three headings, to wit : Riches, Fame, and Pleasure. With these three the mind is so engrossed that it cannot scarcely think of any other good.

I make this chief distinction between religion and superstition, that the latter is founded on ignorance, the former on knowledge.

A miracle signifies nothing more than an event... the cause of which cannot be explained by another familiar instance, or.... which the narrator is unable to explain.

It is usually the case with most men that their nature is so constituted that they pity those who fare badly and envy those who fare well.

God is the indwelling and not the transient cause of all things.

I do not believe anyone has reached such perfection, surpassing all others, except Christ, to whom God immediately revealed - without words or visions - the conditions which lead to salvation.

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.