Since the great foundation of fear is pain, the way to harden and fortify children against fear and danger is to accustom them to suffer pain.

The greatest part cannot know, and therefore they must believe.

False and doubtful positions, relied upon as unquestionable maxims, keep those who build on them in the dark from truth. Such are usually the prejudices imbibed from education, party, reverence, fashion, interest, et cetera.

We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves.

There cannot any one moral rule be proposed whereof a man may not justly demand a reason.

Earthly minds, like mud walls, resist the strongest batteries; and though, perhaps, sometimes the force of a clear argument may make some impression, yet they nevertheless stand firm, keep out the enemy, truth, that would captivate or disturbe them.

What humanity abhors, custom reconciles and recommends to us.