Words, in their primary or immediate signification, stand for nothing but the ideas in the mind of him who uses them.

Vague and mysterious forms of speech, and abuse of language, have so long passed for mysteries of science; and hard or misapplied words with little or no meaning have, by prescription, such a right to be mistaken for deep learning and height of speculation, that it will not be easy to persuade either those who speak or those who hear them, that they are but the covers of ignorance and hindrance of true knowledge.

It is one thing to persuade, another to command; one thing to press with arguments, another with penalties.

The dread of evil is a much more forcible principle of human actions than the prospect of good.

Virtue is everywhere that which is thought praiseworthy; and nothing else but that which has the allowance of public esteem is called virtue.

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

Understanding like the eye; whilst it makes us see and perceive all things, takes no notice of itself; and it requires art and pains to set it at a distance and make it its own subject.