Ours is an age of criticism, to which everything must be subjected. The sacredness of religion, and the authority of legislation, are by many regarded as grounds for exemption from the examination by this tribunal, But, if they are exempted, and cannot lay claim to sincere respect, which reason accords only to that which has stood the test of a free and public examination.
May you live your life as if the maxim of your actions were to become universal law.
Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.
From such crooked wood as that which man is made of, nothing straight can be fashioned.
So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world.
The history of the human race, viewed as a whole may be regarded as the realization of a hidden plan of nature to bring about a political constitution, internally, and for this purpose, also externally perfect, as the only state in which all the capacities implanted by her in mankind can be fully developed.
Have patience awhile slanders are not long-lived. Truth is the child of time erelong she shall appear to vindicate thee.
If we cannot live so as to be happy, let us least live so as to deserve it.
Have patience awhile; slanders are not long-lived. Truth is the child of time; erelong she shall appear to vindicate thee.
...as to moral feeling, this supposed special sense, the appeal to it is indeed superficial when those who cannot think believe that feeling will help them out, even in what concerns general laws: and besides, feelings which naturally differ infinitely in degree cannot furnish a uniform standard of good and evil, nor has any one a right to form judgments for others by his own feelings...