Nothing is terrible except fear itself.

Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation, all which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, though religion were not; but superstition dismounts all these, and erects an absolute monarchy in the minds of men.

The desire of excessive power caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge caused men to fall.

God never wrought miracles to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it.

Money is like manure, of very little use except it be spread.

Men on their side must force themselves for a while to lay their notions by and begin to familiarize themselves with facts.

Another error is an impatience of doubt and haste to assertion without due and mature suspension of judgment. For the two ways of contemplation are not unlike the two ways of action commonly spoken of by the ancients; the one plain and smooth in the beginning, and in the end impassable; the other rough and troublesome in the entrance, but after a while fair and even. So it is in contemplation; if a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.