Panics, in some cases, have their uses; they produce as much good as hurt. Their duration is always short; the mind soon grows through them and acquires a firmer habit than before. But their peculiar advantage is, that they are the touchstone of sincerity and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might have lain forever undiscovered.

Every person of learning is finally his own teacher.

When it becomes necessary to do a thing, the whole heart and soul should go into the measure, or not attempt it.

Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which if continued would grow into oppressions.

I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life.

One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise, she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion.

Priests and conjurors are of the same trade.