The system of Descartes... seemed to give a plausible reason for all those phenomena; and this reason seemed more just, as it is simple and intelligible to all capacities. But in philosophy, a student ought to doubt of the things he fancies he understands too easily, as much as of those he does not understand.

It is only through timidity that states are lost.

When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion.

Villains are undone by what is worst in them, heroes by what is best.

There are some that only employ words for the purpose of disguising their thoughts.

What will the preachers say? .. to teach men not to persecute men: for, while a few sanctimonious humbugs are burning a few fanatics, the earth opens and swallows up all alike.

Every abuse ought to be reformed, unless the reform is more dangerous than the abuse itself.