Human beings hardly ever learn from the experience of others. They learn; when they do, which isn't often, on their own, the hard way.

History has the relation to truth that theology has to religion - i.e., none to speak of.

I don't trust a man who talks about ethics when he is picking my pocket. But if he is acting in his own self-interest and says so, I have usually been able to …

History does not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any rational basis. Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unkno…

The Inclinations of Men, in this their degenerate State, carry them with great Force to those voluptuous Objects, that please their Appetites and gratify their…

All the lessons of history and experience must be lost upon us if we are content to trust alone to the peculiar advantages we happen to possess.

Our experience is composed rathery of illusions that of wisdom acquired.