The soul which has no fixed purpose in life is lost; to be everywhere, is to be nowhere.

The most regular and most perfect soul in the world has but too much to do to keep itself upright from being overthrown by its own weakness.

The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

I am much afraid that we shall have very greatly hastened the decline and ruin of the New World by our contagion, and that we willhave sold it our opinions and our arts very dear.

Truth and reason are common to everyone, and are no more his who spake them first than his who speaks them after.

Is it not better to remain in suspense than to entangle yourself in the many errors that the human fancy has produced? Is it not better to suspend your convictions than to get mixed up in these seditious and quarrelsome divisions?

If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you; don't bother your head about it.