The inhabitants of earth behold commonly but the dark and shadowy under side of heaven's pavement; it is only when seen at a favorable angle in the horizon, morning or evening, that some faint streaks of the rich lining of the clouds are revealed.

The government of the world I live in was not framed, like that of Britain, in after-dinner conversations over the wine.

Who could believe in the prophecies ... that the world would end this summer, while one milkweed with faith matured its seeds.

A true account of the actual is the rarest poetry, for common sense always takes a hasty and superficial view.

It seems to me that the god that is commonly worshipped in civilized countries is not at all divine, though he bears a divine name, but is the overwhelming authority and respectability of mankind combined. Men reverence one another, not yet God.

The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter

It is remarkable that there are few men so well employed, so much to their minds, but that a little money or fame would commonly buy them off from their present pursuit.