Avarice, or the desire of gain, is a universal passion which operates at all times, at all places, and upon all persons.

That the sun shines tomorrow is a judgement that is as true as the contrary judgement.

[priests are] the pretenders to power and dominion, and to a superior sanctity of character, distinct from virtue and good morals.

There is an universal tendency among mankind to conceive all beings like themselves, and to transfer to every object, those qualities, with which they are familiarly acquainted, and of which they are intimately conscious. We find human faces in the moon, armies in the clouds; and by a natural propensity, if not corrected by experience and reflection, ascribe malice or good-will to every thing, that hurts or pleases us.

There is, indeed a more mitigated scepticism or academical philosophy, which may be both durable and useful, and which may, in part, be the result of this Pyrrhonism, or excessive scepticism, when its undistinguished doubts are corrected by common sense and reflection.

It's when we start working together that the real healing takes place... it's when we start spilling our sweat, and not our blood.

In public affairs men are often better pleased that the truth, though known to everybody, should be wrapped up under a decent cover than if it were exposed in open daylight to the eyes of all the world.