Being unable to cure death, wretchedness, and ignorance, men have decided, in order to be happy, not to think about such things.

Reason is the slow and torturous method by which those who do not know the truth discover it

The consciousness of the falsity of present pleasures, and the ignorance of the vanity of absent pleasures, cause inconstancy.

Nature has some perfections to show that she is the image of God, and some defects to show that she is only His image.

Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true and then show that it is.

To find recreation in amusement is not happiness.

Imagination magnifies small objects with fantastic exaggeration until they fill our soul, and with bold insolence cuts down great things to its own size, as when speaking of God.