How often might a man, after he had jumbled a set of letters in a bag, fling them out upon the ground before they would fall into an exact poem, yea, or so much as make a good discourse in prose? And may not a little book be as easily made by chance as this great volume of the world?

Our belief or disbelief of a thing does not alter the nature of the thing.

Next to the wicked lives of men, nothing is so great a disparagement and weakening to religion as the divisions of Christians.

In all the affairs of this world, so much reputation is in reality so much power.

The art of using deceit and cunning grow continually weaker and less effective to the user.

It is pleasant to be virtuous and good, because that is to excel many others; it is pleasant to grow better, because that is to excel ourselves; it is pleasant to mortify and subdue our lusts, because that is victory; it is pleasant to command our appetites and passions, and to keep them in due order within the bounds of reason and religion, because this is empire.

When we have practiced good actions awhile, they become easy; when they are easy, we take pleasure in them; when they please us, we do them frequently; and then, by frequency of act, they grow into a habit.