Much is due to those who first broke the way to knowledge, and left only to their successors the task of smoothing it.

Every cold empirick, when his heart is expanded by a successful experiment, swells into a theorist.

Nothing is more idle than to inquire after happiness, which nature has kindly placed within our reach.

Exercise cannot secure us from that dissolution to which we are decreed; but while the soul and body continue united, it can make the association pleasing, and give probable hopes that they shall be disciplined by an easy separation...to die is the fate of man; but to die with lingering anguish is generally his folly.

The roads of science are narrow, so that they who travel them, must wither follow or meet one another.

Reproof should not exhaust its power upon petty failings.

To revenge reasonable incredulity by refusing evidence, is a degree of insolence with which the world is not yet acquainted; and stubborn audacity is the last refuge of guilt.