The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.

He that uses his words loosely and unsteadily will either not be minded or not understood.

Certain subjects yield a general power that may be applied in any direction and should be studied by all.

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.

Children (nay, and men too) do most by example.

Who hath a prospect of the different state of perfect happiness or misery that attends all men after this life, depending on their behavior, the measures of good and evil that govern his choice are mightily changed.

A man may live long, and die at last in ignorance of many truths, which his mind was capable of knowing, and that with certainty.