The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may read more

The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may be called "sciences as one would." For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections color and infect the understanding.

The fewer words the better prayer.

The fewer words the better prayer.

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is read more

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is usually embraced with vehemence and extremism, for we have to convince ourselves that what we took as second choice is the best there ever was. Thus blind faith is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves; insatiable desire a substitute for hope; accumulation a substitute for growth; fervent hustling a substitute for purposeful action; and pride a substitute for an unattainable self-respect.

I hope I never get so old I get religious.

I hope I never get so old I get religious.

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.

Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.

Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.

Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.

Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.

It is easier for a camel to pass through they eye of the needle than for a rich man to read more

It is easier for a camel to pass through they eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.

Fear prophets and those prepared to die for the truth, for as a rule they make many others die with read more

Fear prophets and those prepared to die for the truth, for as a rule they make many others die with them, often before them, at times instead of them.