Our Business here is not to know all things, but those which concern our conduct.

The Legislative cannot transfer the Power of Making Laws to any other hands. For it being but a delegated Power from the People, they who have it, cannot pass it over to others. The People alone can appoint the Form of the Commonwealth, which is by Constituting the Legislative, and appointing in whose hands that shall be.

Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain.

Man is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out of the common road.

He that has his chains knocked off, and the prison doors set open to him, is perfectly at liberty, because he may either go or stay, as he best likes; though his preference be determined to stay, by the darkness of the night, or illness of the weather, or want of other lodging.

The discipline of desire is the background of character.

In transgressing the law of nature, the offender declares himself to live by another rule than that of reason and common equity.