The heart of man is made to reconcile the most glaring contradictions.

It is a certain rule that wit and passion are entirely incompatible. When the affections are moved, there is no place for the imagination.

In ancient times, bodily strength and dexterity, being of greater use and importance in war, was also much more esteemed and valued, than at present. ... In short, the different ranks of men are, in a great measure, regulated by riches.

The proper office of religion is to regulate the heart of men, humanize their conduct, infuse the spirit of temperance, order, andobedience; and as its operation is silent, and only enforces the motives of morality and justice, it is in danger of being overlooked, and confounded with these other motives.

It is... a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave.

A little philosophy makes a man an Atheist: a great deal converts him to religion

These arguments on each side (and many more might be produced) are so plausible, that I am apt to suspect, they may, the one as well as the other, be solid and satisfactory, and that reason and sentiment concur in almost all moral determinations and conclusions.