Where there is no common power, there is no law.
How could a state be governed, or protected in its foreign relations if every individual remained free to obey or not to obey the law according to his private opinion.
Silence is sometimes an argument of Consent.
Curiosity draws a man from consideration of the effect, to seek the cause.
No Discourse whatsoever, can End in absolute Knowledge of Fact.
The first author of speech was God himself, that instructed Adam how to name such creatures as He presented to his sight...
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.