All religions are pieced together out of elements which seem so at odds with reason that any intelligence laughs at them.

Mutability is the badge of infirmity. It is seldom that a man continues to wish and design the same thing two days alike. Now he is for marrying; and now a mistress is preferred to a wife. Now he is ambitious and aspiring; presently the meanest servant is not more humble than he. This hour he squanders his money away; the next he turns miser. Sometimes he is frugal and serious; at other times profuse, airy, and gay.

Riches should be admitted into our houses, but not into our hearts; we may take them into our possession, but not into our affections.

He who receives a benefit should never forget it; he who bestows should never remember it.

Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so contrived by nature as to be constant companions; and it is a fact that the same motions and muscles of the face are employed both in laughing and crying.

To owe an obligation to a worthy friend is a happiness, and can be no disparagement.

All religions are pieced together out of elements which seem so at odds with reason that any intelligence laughs at them.