We can conceive a thinking being to have either many or few perceptions. Suppose the mind to be reduced even below the life of an ...oyster. Suppose it to have only one perception, as of thirst or hunger. Consider it in that situation. Do you conceive any thing but merely that perception? Have you any notion of self or substance? If not, the addition of other perceptions can never give you that notion.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
What a noble privilege is it of human reason to attain the knowledge of the supreme Being; and, from the visible works of nature, ...be enabled to infer so sublime a principle as its supreme Creator? But turn the reverse of the medal. Survey most nations and most ages. Examine the religious principles, which have, in fact, prevailed in the world. You will scarcely be persuaded, that they are any thing but sick men's dreams: Or perhaps will regard them more as the playsome whimsies of monkies in human shape, than the serious, positive, dogmatical asseverations of a being, who dignifies himself with the name of rational.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
A Spirit free, to choose for my own share, What sort of Flesh and Blood I pleas'd to wear,... I'd be a Dog, a Monkey or a Bear, Or any thing, but that vain Animal, Who is so proud of being rational.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
It's a particular Observation I have always made, That of all Mortals, a Critick is the silliest; for by inuring himself to examin...e all Things, whether they are of Consequence or not, he never looks upon any Thing but with a Design of passing Sentence upon it; by which Means, he is never a Companion, but always a Censor.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
... the hired preachers of all sects, creeds, and religions, never do, and never can, teach any thing but what is in conformity wi...th the opinions of those who pay them.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to ...know.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
"Miss Dudley ... gives one the idea of a lightly-sparred yacht in mid- ocean; unexpected; you ask yourself what the devil she is d...oing there. She sails gaily along, though there is no land in sight and plenty of rough weather coming. She never read a book, I believe, in her life. She tries to paint, but she is only a second-rate amateur and will never be any thing more, though she has done one or two things which I give you my word I would like to have done myself. She picks up all she knows without an effort and knows nothing well, yet she seems to understand whatever is said. Her mind is as irregular as her face, and both have the same peculiarity. I notice that the lines of her eyebrows, nose and mouth all end with a slight upward curve like a yacht's sails, which gives a kind of hopefulness and self-confidence to her expression. Mind and face have the same curves."LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Fortunately for those who pay their court through such foibles, a fond mother, though, in pursuit of praise for her children, the ...most rapacious of human beings, is likewise the most credulous; her demands are exorbitant; but she will swallow any thing.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Is there any thing beyond?--who knows? He that can't tell. Who tells there is? He who don't know. And when shall he know? Perhaps,... when he don't expect it, and generally when he don't wish it. In this last respect, however, all are not alike; it depends a good deal upon education, something upon nerves and habits--but most upon digestion.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »