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

A CAUSE is an object precedent and contiguous to another, and so united with it that the idea of the one determines the mind to form the idea of the other, and the impression of the one to form a more lively idea of the other.

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

The first ideas of religion arose, not from contemplation of the works of nature, but from a concern with regard to the events of life.

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

It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger. It is not contrary to reason for me to choose my total ruin, to prevent the least uneasiness of an Indian, or person wholly unknown to me. It is as little contrary to reason to prefer even my own acknowledged lesser good to my greater, and have a more ardent affection for the former than the latter.

Avarice, the spur of industry.