"The greatest part of mankind are more swayed by custom than by reason."

"Slavery is so vile and miserable an estate of man, and so directly opposite to the generous temper and courage of our nation."

"The business of men is to be happy; but in this world, I think it is enough if we can avoid being miserable."

"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours."

"The works of nature and the works of art are but the outside and rind of the world."