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

The many instances of forged miracles, and prophecies, and supernatural events, which, in all ages, have either been detected by contrary evidence, or which detect themselves by their absurdity, prove sufficiently the strong propensity of mankind to the extraordinary and marvellous, and ought reasonably to begat a suspicion against all relations of this kind.

Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.

The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one.

The consequence of a very free commerce between the sexes, and of their living much together, will often terminate in intrigues and gallantry.

A man posing for a painting.

It is harder to avoid censure than to gain applause.