Flattery is no more than what raises in a man's mind an idea of a preference which he has not.

Dogs are indeed the most social, affectionate, and amiable animals of the whole brute creation.

Nothing is so rash as fear; and the counsels of pusillanimity very rarely put off, whilst they are always sure to aggravate, the evils from which they would fly.

Superstition is the religion of feeble minds.

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.

It is better to cherish virtue and humanity, by leaving much to free will, even with some loss of the object , than to attempt to make men mere machines and instruments of political benevolence. The world on the whole will gain by a liberty, without which virtue cannot exist.

Custom reconciles us to everything.