The design of Rhetoric is to remove those Prejudices that lie in the way of Truth, to Reduce the Passions to the Government of Reasons; to place our Subject in a Right Light, and excite our Hearers to a due consideration of it.

Fetters of gold are still fetters, and the softest lining can never make them so easy as liberty.

Ignorance and a narrow education lay the foundation of vice, and imitation and custom rear it up.

The scum of the People are most Tyrannical when they get the Power, and treat their Betters with the greatest Insolence.

For my part I think the Learned, and Unlearned Blockhead pretty equal; for 'tis all one to me, whether a Man talk Nonsense, or unintelligible Sense, I am diverted and edified alike by either; the one enjoys himself less, but suffers his Friends to do it more; the other enjoys himself and his own Humour enough, but will let no body else do it in his Company.

friendship is a virtue which comprehends all the rest; none being fit for this, who is not adorned with every other virtue.

The Steps to Folly as well as Sin are gradual, and almost imperceptible, and when we are once on the Decline, we go down without taking notice on't.