-
Preference of vice to virtue, a manifest wrong judgment.
-
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.
-
Freedom of men under government is to have a standing rule to live by, common to every one of that society and made by the legislative power vested in it and not to be subject to the inconstant, uncertain, arbitrary will of another man.
-
It is reported of that prodigy of parts, Monsieur Pascal, that till the decay of his health had impaired his memory, he forgot nothing of what he had done, read, or thought, in any part of his rational age. This is a privilege so little known to most men, that it seems almost incredible to those who, after the ordinary way, measure all others by themselves; but yet, when considered, may help us to enlarge our thoughts towards greater perfections of it, in superior ranks of spirits.
-
The people cannot delegate to government the power to do anything which would be unlawful for them to do themselves.
-
All rising to great place is by a winding stair; and if there be factions, it is good to side a man's self whilst he is in the rising, and to balance himself when he is placed.
-
Where there is no desire, there will be no industry.
-
Power to do good is the true and lawful act of aspiring; for good thoughts (though God accept them), yet towards men are little better than good dreams, except they be put in act; and that cannot be without power and place, as the vantage and commanding ground.
-
The only thing we are naturally afraid of is pain, or loss of pleasure. And because these are not annexed to any shape, colour, or size of visible objects, we are frighted of none of them, till either we have felt pain from them, or have notions put into us that they will do us harm.
-
The senses at first let in particular Ideas, and furnish the yet empty Cabinet: And the Mind by degrees growing familiar with some of them, they are lodged in the Memory, and Names got to them.
-
The secret is not to think of the song as a cover. A great song is a great song and can be performed in a number of different ways. When we do someone else’s song, we probably loved the original but would never think of doing a version of that version. If you can’t change it enough to make it yours.
-
When ideas float in our mind, without any reflection or regard of the understanding, it is that which the French call reverie.
-
Not time is the measure of movement but: ...each constant periodic appearance of ideas.
-
Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company, and reflection must finish him.
-
With books we stand on the shoulders of giants.
-
The reservedness and distance that fathers keep, often deprive their sons of that refuge which would be of more advantage to them than an hundred rebukes or chidings.
-
Whosoever will list himself under the banner of Christ, must, in the first place and above all things, make war upon his own lusts and vices. It is in vain for any man to usurp the name of Christian, without holiness of life, purity of manners, benignity and meekness of spirit.
-
Is it worth the name of freedom to be at liberty to play the fool?