How so many absurd rules of conduct, as well as so many absurd religious beliefs, have originated, we do not know; nor how it is that they have become, in all quarters of the world, so deeply impressed on the minds of men; but it is worthy of remark that a belief constantly inculcated during the early years of life, while the brain is impressionable, appears to acquire almost the nature of an instinct; and the very essence of an instinct is that it is followed independently of reason.

To our strongest impulse, to the tyrant in us, not only our reason but also our conscience yields.

I believe there exists, & I feel within me, an instinct for the truth, or knowledge or discovery, of something of the same nature as the instinct of virtue, & that our having such an instinct is reason enough for scientific researches without any practical results ever ensuing from them.

Reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form.

Each one of us has a natural instinct to rise, like a flame of the lamp. Let's nurture this instinct.

I trust that everything happens for a reason, even when we're not wise enough to see it.