Facts are to the mind what food is to the body. On the due digestion of the former depend the strength and wisdom of the one, just as vigor and health depend on the other. The wisest in council, the ablest in debate, and the most agreeable companion in the commerce of human life, is that man who has assimilated to his understanding the greatest number of facts.

Nothing in progression can rest on its original plan. We may as well think of rocking a grown man in the cradle of an infant.

There is nothing in the world really beneficial that does not lie within the reach of an informed understanding and a well-protected pursuit.

The pride of men will not often suffer reason to have scope until it can be no longer of service.

The same sun which gilds all nature, and exhilarates the whole creation, does not shine upon disappointed ambition.

No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.

It is very rare, indeed, for men to be wrong in their feelings concerning public misconduct; as rare to be right in their speculations upon the cause of it. I have constantly observed that the generality of people are fifty years, at least, behind in their politics.