It is therefore wish'd that all commerce were as free between all the nations of the world as it is between the several counties of England.

A full Belly makes a dull Brain: The Muses starve in a Cook's Shop.

In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the small-pox, taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under it; my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.

I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me.

Let the child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.

Where there's marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.

There's many witty men whose brains can't fill their bellies.