Their is no defense against criticism except obscurity.

The Obedience of Children to their Parents is the Basis of all Government, and set forth as the measure of that Obedience which weowe to those whom Providence hath placed over us.

Faith is kept alive in us, and gathers strength, more from practice than from speculations.

A cloudy day or a little sunshine have as great an influence on many constitutions as the most recent blessings or misfortunes.

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.

When a man is made up wholly of the dove, without the least grain of the serpent in his composition, he becomes ridiculous in many circumstances of life, and very often discredits his best actions.

A friend exaggerates a man's virtues; an enemy inflames his crimes.