The philosophy of reasoning, to be complete, ought to comprise the theory of bad as well as of good reasoning.

Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest.

It is historically true that a large proportion of infidels in all ages have been persons of distinguished integrity and honor.

As for charity, it is a matter in which the immediate effect on the persons directly concerned, and the ultimate consequence to the general good, are apt to be at complete war with one another.

Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative.

Among the works of man, which human life is rightly employed in perfecting, the first in importance surely is man himself.

The beliefs which we have most warrant for have no safeguard to rest on but a standing invitation to the whole world to prove them unfounded. If the challenge is not accepted, or is accepted and the attempt fails, we are far enough from certainty still; but we have done the best that the existing state of human reason admits of; we have neglected nothing that could give the truth a chance of reaching us.