There is more pleasure to building castles in the air than on the ground.

Our toil is lessened, and our wealth is increased, by our dominion over the useful animals . . .

But this inestimable privilege was soon violated: with the knowledge of truth the emperor imbibed the maxims of persecution; and the sects which dissented from the catholic church were afflicted and oppressed by the triumph of Christianity. Constantine easily believed that the heretics, who presumed to dispute his opinions or to oppose his commands, were guilty of the most absurd and criminal obstinacy; and that a seasonable application of moderate severities might save those unhappy men from the danger of an everlasting condemnation.

Whenever the spirit of fanaticism, at once so credulous and so crafty, has insinuated itself into a noble mind, it insensibly corrodes the vital principles of virtue and veracity.

Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.

In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.

Language is the leading principle which unites or separates the tribes of mankind.