It is fairer to tax people on what they extract from the economy, as roughly measured by their consumption, than to tax them on what they produce for the economy, as roughly measured by their income.
Time, and Industry, produce everyday new knowledge.
Religions are like pills, which must be swallowed whole without chewing.
In a Democracy, look how many Demagogs that is how many powerful Orators there are with the people.
Man is distinguished not only by his reason, but also by this singular passion, from all other animals.
Humans are driven by a perpetual and restless desire of power.
Emulation is grief arising from seeing one’s self, exceeded or excelled by his concurrent, together with hope to equal or exceed him in time to come, by his own ability. But envy is the same grief joined with pleasure conceived in the imagination of some ill-fortune that may befall him.
Passions unguided are for the most part mere madness.
The science which teacheth arts and handicrafts is merely science for the gaining of a living; but the science which teacheth deliverance from worldly existence, is not that the true science?
The best men are the least suspicious of fraudulent purposes.
For naturall Bloud is in like manner made of the fruits of the Earth; and circulating, nourisheth by the way, every Member of the Body of Man.
Leisure is the mother of philosophy; and commonwealth, the mother of peace and leisure.
Ignorance of the law is no good excuse, where every man is bound to take notice of the laws to which he is subject.
Because silver and gold have their value from the matter itself, they have first this privilege, that the value of them cannot be altered by the power of one, nor of a few commonwealths, as being a common measure of the commodities of all places. But base money may easily be enhanced or abased.
The Present only has a being in Nature; things Past have a being in the Memory only, but things to come have no being at all; the Future but a fiction of the mind.
The object of man’s desire is not to enjoy once only, and for one instant of time; but to assure for ever, the way of his future desires.
So easy are men to be drawn to believe any thing, from such men as have gotten credit with them; and can with gentleness and dexterity take hold of their fear and ignorance.
The passions of men are commonly more potent than their reason.
Understanding is by the flame of the passions never enlightened, but dazzled.
The oath adds nothing to the obligation. For a covenant, if lawful, binds in the sight of God, without the oath, as much as with it; if unlawful, bindeth not at all, though it be confirmed with an oath.