The ages of greatest public spirit are not always eminent for private virtue.

Weakness, fear, melancholy, together with ignorance, are the true sources of superstition. Hope, pride, presumption, a warm indignation, together with ignorance, are the true sources of enthusiasm.

The rules of morality are not the conclusion of our reason.

Reading and sauntering and lounging and dosing, which I call thinking, is my supreme Happiness.

Nothing endears so much a friend as sorrow for his death. The pleasure of his company has not so powerful an influence.

While we are reasoning concerning life, life is gone.

For the purposes of life and conduct, and society, a little good sense is surely better than all this genius, and a little good humour than this extreme sensibility.