quote · Words worth keeping

Liberty is essential to morality, morality implies free choice. Inferring effects from causes cannot be trusted to uncertain process of reasoning. A wise man proportions his believes to the evidence. Friendship is the chief joy of human life, and moderation the only source of tranquility and happiness. Eloquence addresses itself to the fancy of the affections, captivates the willing ears, and subdues their understanding. Impressions and ideas – the difference betwixt these consists in the degrees of force and liveliness, with which they strike upon the mind, and make their way in our thought and consciousness. If something is absurd in fact and reality, it is absurd as an idea. This is universally allowed that the capacity of the mind is limited, and can never attain a full and adequate conception of infinity. The answer is unsatisfactory; not because it contains any falsehood, but because it discovers not all the truth. This is also certain that every perception or object is supposed to have a continued uninterrupted being, and neither be annihilated by our absence, nor to be brought into existence by our presence. Heaven and hell suppose of two distinct species of men, the good and the bad; but the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue.

Liberty is essential to morality, morality implies free choice. Inferring effects from causes cannot be trusted to uncertain process of reasoning. A wise man proportions his believes to the evidence. Friendship is the chief joy of human life, and moderation the only source of tranquility and happiness. Eloquence addresses itself to the fancy of the affections, captivates the willing ears, and subdues their understanding. Impressions and ideas – the difference betwixt these consists in the degrees of force and liveliness, with which they strike upon the mind, and make their way in our thought and consciousness. If something is absurd in fact and reality, it is absurd as an idea. This is universally allowed that the capacity of the mind is limited, and can never attain a full and adequate conception of infinity. The answer is unsatisfactory; not because it contains any falsehood, but because it discovers not all the truth. This is also certain that every perception or object is supposed to have a continued uninterrupted being, and neither be annihilated by our absence, nor to be brought into existence by our presence. Heaven and hell suppose of two distinct species of men, the good and the bad; but the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue.

Approximate author period: c. 1743 AD · early modern