It is a monstrous thing that I will say, but I will say it all the same: I find in many things more restraint and order in my morals than in my opinions, and my lust less depraved than my reason.

How many condemnations I have witnessed more criminal than the crime!

Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.

He that I am reading seems always to have the most force.

A man may by custom fortify himself against pain, shame, and suchlike accidents; but as to death, we can experience it but once, and are all apprentices when we come to it

To how many blockheads of my time has a cold and taciturn demeanor procured the credit of prudence and capacity!

Our religion is made to eradicate vices, instead it encourages them, covers them, and nurtures them.