An evil intention perverts the best actions, and makes them sins.

Peaceable times are the best to live in, though not so proper to furnish materials for a writer.

I consider an human soul without education like marble in the quarry, which shows none of its inherent beauties till the skill of the polisher fetches out the colours, makes the surface shine, and discovers every ornamental cloud, spot and vein that runs through the body of it.

I would fain ask one of these bigotted Infidels, supposing all the great Points of Atheism... were laid together and formed into a kind of Creed, according to the Opinions of the most celebrated Atheists; I say, supposing such a Creed as this were formed, and imposed upon any one People in the World, whether it would not require an infinitely greater Measure of Faith, than any Set of Articles which they so violently oppose.

It is observed by Cicero, that men of the greatest and most shining parts are most actuated by ambition.

There is not a more unhappy being than a superannuated idol.

Gold is a wonderful clearer of the understanding; it dissipates every doubt and scruple in an instant.