When we reflect on the shortness and uncertainty of life, how despicable seem all our pursuits of happiness.

From causes which appear similar, we expect similar effects. This is the sum total of all our experimental conclusions.

When I think of God, when I think of him as existent, and when I believe him to be existent, my idea of him neither increases nordiminishes. But as it is certain there is a great difference betwixt the simple conception of the existence of an object, and the belief of it, and as this difference lies not in the parts or composition of the idea which we conceive; it follows, that it must lie in the manner in which we conceive it.

Even after the observation of the frequent conjunction of objects, we have no reason to draw any inference concerning any object beyond those of which we have had experience.

Morals and criticism are not so properly objects of the understanding as of taste and sentiment.

It is harder to avoid censure than to gain applause.

Liberty is a blessing so inestimable, that, wherever there appears any probability of recovering it, a nation may willingly run many hazards, and ought not even to repine at the greatest effusion of blood or dissipation of treasure.