"All belief of matter of fact or real existence is derived merely from some object present to the memory or senses, and a customary conjunction betwixt that and some other object."

"The corruption of the best things produces the worst."

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular."

"It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom."

"Truth is disputable; not taste: what exists in the nature of things is the standard of our judgement; what has a reference to sentiment or feeling, can have no other standard than the sentiment or fee…"