Women deluded by these sentiments, sometimes boast of their weakness, cunningly obtaining power by playing on the weakness of men; and they may well glory in their illicit sway, for, like Turkish bashaws, they have more real power than their masters: but virtue is sacrificed to temporary gratifications, and the respectability of life to the triumph of an hour.

Good habits, imperceptibly fixed, are far preferable to the precepts of reason.

How can a rational being be ennobled by any thing that is not obtained by its own exertions?

What, but the rapacity of the only men who exercised their reason, the priests, secured such vast property to the church, when a man gave his perishable substance to save himself from the dark torments of purgatory.

Friendship and domestic happiness are continually praised; yet how little is there of either in the world, because it requires more cultivation of mind to keep awake affection, even in our own hearts, than the common run of people suppose.

No man chooses evil because it's evil. He only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.

The more equality there is established among men, the more virtue and happiness will reign in society.