Crooked things may be as stiff and unflexible as streight: and Men may be as positive and peremptory in Error as in Truth.

The thoughts that come often unsought, and, as it were, drop into the mind, are commonly the most valuable of any we have.

The Indians , whom we call barbarous, observe much more decency and civility in their discourses and conversation, giving one another a fair silent hearing till they have quite done; and then answering them calmly, and without noise or passion. And if it be not so in this civiliz'd part of the world, we must impute it to a neglect in education, which has not yet reform'd this antient piece of barbarity amongst us.

Justice and truth are the common ties of society

Though the familiar use of things about us take off our wonder, yet it cures not our ignorance.

If punishment reaches not the mind and makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender.

Laws provide, as much as ispossible that the goods and health of subjects be not injured by the fraud and violence of others. They do not guard them from thenegligence or ill-husbandry of the possessors themselves.