We look after religion as the butcher did after his knife, when he had it in his mouth.

Wit and wisdom are born with a man.

First, in your sermons, use your logic, and then your rhetoric; Rhetoric without logic, is like a tree with leaves and blossoms, but no root; yet more are taken with rhetoric than logic, because they are caught with fine expressions when they understand not reason.

Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain, the enjoying of something I am in great trouble for till I have it.

Humility is a virtue all preach, none practise, and yet every body is content to hear. The master thinks it good doctrine for his servant, the laity for the clergy, and the clergy for the laity.

Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why he should grant this, or that; he knows best what is good for us.

Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty.