Our senses, our appetite, and our passions are our lawful and faithful guides in things that relate solely to this life.

Whatever is proposed, it is much easier to find reasons for rejecting than embracing.

Philosophy has often attempted to repress insolence by asserting that all conditions are leveled by death; a position which, however it may defect the happy, will seldom afford much comfort to the wretched.

Marriage is the best state for man in general, and every man is a worst man in proportion to the level he is unfit for marriage.

They who look but little into futurity, have, perhaps, the quickest sensation of the present.

As any custom is disused, the words that expressed it must perish with it; as any opinion grows popular, it will innovate speech in the same proportion as it alters practice.

We must consider how very little history there is--I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought, we can depend upon as true; but all the coloring, all the philosophy, of history is conjecture.