Nuptial love makes mankind; friendly love perfects it; but wanton love corrupts and debases it.

The human understanding, from its peculiar nature, easily supposes a greater degree of order and equality in things than it really finds.

We think according to nature. We speak according to rules. We act according to custom.

Why should I be angry with a man for loving himself better than me?

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.

An artist must learn to be nourished by his passions and by his despairs.

Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.