Superstition, then, is engendered, preserved, and fostered by fear.
Things which are accidentally the causes either of hope or fear are called good or evil omens.
Pride is over-estimation of oneself by reason of self-love.
Everything excellent is as difficult as it is rare.
If slavery, barbarism and desolation are to be called peace, men can have no worse misfortune.
Anyone who seeks for the true causes of miracles, and strives to understand natural phenomena as an intelligent being, and not to gaze at them like a fool, is set down and denounced as an impious heretic.