A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason.

A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason.

Eloquence may set fire to reason.

Eloquence may set fire to reason.

Say first, of God above or man below,
What can we reason but from what we know?

Say first, of God above or man below,
What can we reason but from what we know?

Once the people begin to reason, all is lost

Once the people begin to reason, all is lost

Let reason govern desire.

Let reason govern desire.

Man has received direct from God only one instrument wherewith to know himself and to know his relation to the read more

Man has received direct from God only one instrument wherewith to know himself and to know his relation to the universe--he has no other--and that instrument is reason.

Nothing can be lasting when reason does not rule.
[Lat., Nihil potest esse diuturnum cui non subest ratio.]

Nothing can be lasting when reason does not rule.
[Lat., Nihil potest esse diuturnum cui non subest ratio.]

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

Reason is a harmonizing, controlling force rather than a creative one.

Reason is a harmonizing, controlling force rather than a creative one.