It is certain that there is no other passion which does produce such contrary effects in so great a degree. But this may be said for love, that if you strike it out of the soul, life would be insipid, and our being but half animated.

Tradition is an important help to history, but its statements should be carefully scrutinized before we rely on them.

If our zeal were true and genuine we should be much more angry with a sinner than a heretic.

Pedantry in learning is like hypocrisy inn religion--a form of knowledge without the power of it.

My voice is still for war. Gods! can a Roman senate long debate Which of the two to choose, slavery or death?

Who does not more admire Cicero as an author than as a consul of Rome?

But in all despotic governments, though a particular prince may favour arts and letter, there is a natural degeneracy of mankind.