The origin of all science is the desire to know causes, and the origin of all false science is the desire to accept false causes rather than none; or, which is the same thing, in the unwillingness to acknowledge our own ignorance.

It is easier taking the beaten path than making our way over bogs and precipices. The great difficulty in philosophy is to come to every question with a mind fresh and unshackled by former theories, though strengthened by exercise and information.

To think justly, we must understand what others mean. To know the value of our thoughts, we must try their effect on other minds.

People of genius do not excel in any profession because they work in it, they work in it because they excel.

Man is a poetical animal, and delights in fiction.

Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.

In some situations, if you say nothing, you are called dull; if you talk, you are thought impertinent and arrogant. It is hard to know what to do in this case. The question seems to be, whether your vanity or your prudence predominates.