As to the Christian religion, besides the strong evidence which we have for it, there is a balance in its favor from the number of great men who have been convinced of its truth after a serious consideration of the question. Grotius was an acute man, a lawyer, a man accustomed to examine evidence, and he was convinced. Grotius was not a recluse, but a man of the world, who certainly had no bias on the side of religion. Sir Isaac Newton set out an infidel, and came to be a very firm believer.

Nobody can write the life of a man but those who have eat and drunk and lived in social intercourse with him.

Truth allows no choice.

Such is the emptiness of human enjoyment that we are always impatient of the present. Attainment is followed by neglect, and possession by disgust.

Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.

And panting Time toil'd after him in vain.

Life has no pleasure higher or nobler than that of friendship.