The mind is seldom quickened to very vigorous operations but by pain, or the dread of pain. We do not disturb ourselves with the detection of fallacies which do us no harm.

Human reason borrowed many arts from the instinct of animals.

Most men are more willing to indulge in easy vices than to practise laborious virtues.

In civilized society external advantages make us more respected. A man with a good coat upon his back meets with a better reception than he who has a bad one. You may analyze this and say, What is there in it? But that will avail you nothing, for it is a part of a general system.

Wise married women don't trouble themselves about infidelity in their husbands.

It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.

The most useful truths are always universal, and unconnected with accidents and customs.