When I consider the Question, Whether there are such Persons in the World as those we call Witches? my Mind is divided between the... two opposite Opinions; or rather (to speak my Thoughts freely) I believe in general that there is, and has been such a thing as Witchcraft; but at the same time can give no Credit to any Particular Instance of it.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I think a Person who is thus terrifyed [sic] with the Imagination of Ghosts and Spectres much more reasonable, than one who contra...ry to the Reports of all Historians sacred and profane, ancient and modern, and to the Traditions of all Nations, thinks the Appearance of Spirits fabulous and groundless.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I have, thanks to my travels, added to my stock all the superstitions of other countries. I know them all now, and in any critical... moment of my life, they all rise up in armed legions for or against me.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
And if the Babe is born a Boy He's given to a Woman Old,... Who nails him down upon a rock Catches his shrieks in cups of gold.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Tell mother that however dogs and samovars might behave themselves, winter comes after summer, old age after youth, and misfortune... follows happiness (or the other way around). A person can not be healthy and cheerful throughout life. Losses lie waiting and man can not safeguard against death, even if he be Alexander of Macedonia. One must be prepared for anything and consider everything to be inevitably essential, as sad as that may be.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
When a person hasn't in him that which is higher and stronger than all external influences, it is enough for him to catch a good c...old in order to lose his equilibrium and begin to see an owl in every bird, to hear a dog's bark in every sound.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »