Liberty of any kind is never lost all at once.

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

Belief is nothing but a more vivid, lively, forcible, firm, steady conception of an object, than what the imagination alone is ever able to attain.

All that belongs to human understanding, in this deep ignorance and obscurity, is to be sceptical, or at least cautious, and not to admit of any hypothesis whatever, much less of any which is supported by no appearance of probability.

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

Apart from the representational content of an idea there is another component: its force and vivacity, its impetus.

The chief benefit, which results from philosophy, arises in an indirect manner, and proceeds more from its secret, insensible influence, than from its immediate application.