The chief art of learning is to attempt but a little at a time.

To prejudge other men's notions before we have looked into them is not to show their darkness but to put out our own eyes.

One unerring mark of the love of truth is not entertaining any proposition with greater assurance than the proofs it is built upon will warrant.

The rising unto place is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base, and by indignities men come to dignities.

All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it.

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.

Government has no other end, but the preservation of property.