The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.

Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them if they will not apply themselves to me.

Seeing that the Senses cannot decide our dispute, being themselves full of uncertainty, we must have recourse to Reason; there is no reason but must be built upon another reason: so here we are retreating backwards to infinity.

Obstinacy and dogmatism are the surest signs of stupidity. Is there anything more confident, resolute, disdainful, grave and serious than an ass?

He was doubtless an understanding Fellow that said, there was no happy Marriage but betwixt a blind Wife and a deaf Husband.

Men throw themselves on foreign assistances to spare their own, which, after all, are the only certain and sufficient ones.

The confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own, and God willingly favors such a confidence.