I have observed that in comedies the best actor plays the droll, while some scrub rogue is made the fine gentleman or hero. Thus it is in the farce of life. Wise men spend their time in mirth; it is only fools who are serious.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeI have read somewhere or other, - in Dionysius of Halicarnassus, I think, - that history is philosophy teaching by examples.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeNo religion ever appeared in the world whose natural tendency was so much directed to promote the peace and happiness of mankind. It makes right reason a law in every possible definition of the word. And therefore, even supposing it to have been purely a human invention, it had been the most amiable and the most useful invention that was ever imposed on mankind for their good.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeThe fire of my adversity has purged the mass of my acquaintance.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeAs well as might we say that a ship is built, loaded and manned for the sake of any particular pilot, instead of acknowledging that the pilot is made for the sake of the ship, her lading, and her crew, who are always the owners in the political vessel; as to say that kingdoms were instituted for kings, not kings for kingdoms.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke