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

Fashion for the most part is nothing but the ostentation of riches.

To ask at what time a man has first any ideas is to ask when he begins to perceive; having ideas and perception being the same thing.

The great question which, in all ages, has disturbed mankind, and brought on them the greatest part of their mischiefs ... has been, not whether be power in the world, nor whence it came, but who should have it.

The people cannot delegate to government the power to do anything which would be unlawful for them to do themselves.

The works of nature and the works of revelation display religion to mankind in characters so large and visible that those who are not quite blind may in them see and read the first principles and most necessary parts of it and from thence penet into those infinite depths filled with the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In my opinion, understanding who your target audience is, and what they want, and writing to them (and only them!) is the most important component of being successful as an author.