The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world not destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside ... Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them ... the weak will become prey to the strong.

Human language is local and changeable, and is therefore incapable of being used as the means of unchangeable and universal information.

Government without a constitution, is a power without a right.

Commerce diminishes the spirit, both of patriotism and military defence.

Death is not the monarch for the dead, but of the dying. The moment he obtains a conquest he loses a subject.

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

In Deism our reason and our belief become happily united. The wonderful structure of the universe, and everything we behold in the system of the creation, prove to us, far better than books can do, the existence of a God, and at the same time proclaim His attributes.