I pretend not to teach, but to inquire.

We are born with faculties and powers capable almost of anything, such at least as would carry us farther than can easily be imagined: but it is only the exercise of those powers, which gives us ability and skill in any thing, and leads us towards perfection.

He that judges without informing himself to the utmost that he is capable, cannot acquit himself of judging amiss

Truth, like gold, is not less so for being newly brought out of the mine.

Every man must some time or other be trusted to himself.

No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience.

[I]t being reasonable and just, I should have a right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction: for by the fundamental law of nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred: and one may destroy a man who makes war upon him, or has discovered an enmity to his being, for the same reason that he may kill a Wolf or a lion.