We are all prompted by the same motives, all deceived by the same fallacies, all animated by hope, obstructed by danger, entangled by desire, and seduced by pleasure.

A man has no more right to say an uncivil thing than to act one; no more right to say a rude thing to another than to knock him down.

The number of such as live without the ardour of inquiry is very small, though many content themselves with cheap amusements, and waste their lives in researches of no importance.

Every man prefers virtue, when there is not some strong incitement to transgress its precepts.

I do not care to speak ill of a man behind his back, but I believe he is an attorney.

Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.

To love their country has been considered as virtue in men, whose love could not be otherwise than blind, because their preference was made without, a comparison; but it has never been my fortune to find, either in ancient or modern writers, any honourable mention of those, who have, with equal blindness, hated their country.