Devotion is a certain act of the will by which man gives himself promptly to divine service.

It is necessary for the perfection of human society that there should be men who devote their lives to contemplation.

Practical sciences proceed by building up; theoretical science by resolving into components.

What can be accomplished by a few principles is not effected by many. But it seems that everything we see in the world can be accounted for by other principles, supposing God did not exist. For all natural things can be reduced to one principle, which is nature, and all voluntary things can be reduced to one principle, which is human reason, or will. Therefore there is no need to suppose God's existence.

To live well is to work well, to show a good activity.

In a false person, sacraments do not produce any effect.

The magnitude of the punishment matches the magnitude of the sin. Now a sin that is against God is infinite; the higher the person against whom it is committed, the graver the sin-it is more criminal to strike a head of state than a private citizen-and God is of infinite greatness. Therefore an infinite punishment is deserved for a sin committed against Him.