This is our chief bane, that we live not according to the light
of reason, but after the fashion read more

This is our chief bane, that we live not according to the light
of reason, but after the fashion of others.
[Lat., Id nobis maxime nocet, quod non ad rationis lumen sed ad
similitudinem aliorum vivimus.]

All is but a jest, all dust, all not worth two peason:
For why in man's matters is neither read more

All is but a jest, all dust, all not worth two peason:
For why in man's matters is neither rime nor reason.
[Lat., Omnia sunt risus, sunt pulvis, et omnia nil sunt:
Res hominum cunctae, nam ratione lies.]

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.

I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is read more

I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.

Reason can in general do more than blind force.

Reason can in general do more than blind force.

Most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do.

Most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do.

All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher read more

All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.

He who will not reason, is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and
he who dares not, read more

He who will not reason, is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and
he who dares not, is a slave.

But all was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear
read more

But all was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear
The better reason, to perplex and dash
Maturest counsels.