What praise is implied in the simple epithet useful! What reproach in the contrary.

Self-denial is a monkish virtue.

Men are much oftener thrown on their knees by the melancholy than by the agreeable passions.

Even after the observation of the frequent conjunction of objects, we have no reason to draw any inference concerning any object beyond those of which we have had experience.

The forming of general maxims from particular observation is a very nice operation; and nothing is more usual, from haste or a narrowness of mind, which sees not on all sides, than to commit mistakes in this particular.

The simplest and most obvious cause which can there be assigned for any phenomena, is probably the true one.

Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers.