Essays on the Formation and Publication of Opinions: And on Other SubjectsR.W. Pomeroy, 1831 - 240 pages |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
absurd actions Adam Smith amidst amongst appear arguments ascer assent associations attained attention belief causes character circumstances conclusions conduct connection consequences considerations contrary conviction creed depend doctrine doubt effect emotions endeavour equal error ESSAY established Euclid evidence evil expected expression fact faculties fallacy false fear feelings French Revolution frequently habits happiness harpsichord ideas imagination importance individual inference influence inquiry instances intel intellectual involuntary judgment knowledge labour lence liable Lord Bacon Lord Chesterfield Madame de Stael mankind manner mental ments metaphysical moral nation nature never nions objects observation occasion operation passions peculiar perhaps persecution pleasure possess practical talent prejudices present principles probable produce professions proper proposition PUBLICATION OF OPINIONS punishment pursuits qualities question racter reason regard remark restraints result says scarcely sense sentiments sion society speculative tain tendency thing tical tion true truth tural understanding views voluntary act Wealth of Nations
Popular passages
Page 65 - To conclude therefore, let no man, upon a weak conceit of sobriety or an ill-applied moderation, think or maintain that a man can search too far or be too well studied in the book of God's word or in the book of God's works ; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavour an endless progress or proficience in both...
Page 146 - But ever and anon of griefs subdued There comes a token like a scorpion's sting, Scarce seen, but with fresh bitterness imbued; And slight withal may be the things which bring Back on the heart the weight which it would fling...
Page 221 - A man who is converted from Protestantism to Popery, may be sincere : he parts with nothing : he is only superadding to what he already had. But a convert from Popery to Protestantism, gives up so much of what he has held as sacred as anything that he retains : there is so much laceration of mind in such a conversion, that it can hardly be sincere and lasting.
Page 29 - But yet the commandment of knowledge is yet higher than the commandment over the will : for it is a commandment over the reason, belief, and understanding of man, which is the highest part of the mind, and giveth law to the will itself. For there is no power on earth which setteth up a throne or chair of estate in the spirits and souls of men, and in their cogitations, imaginations, opinions, and beliefs, but knowledge and learning.
Page 206 - I agree with you most absolutely in your opinion about Gray; he is the worst company in the world. From a melancholy turn, from living reclusely, and from a little too much dignity, he never converses easily ; all his words are measured and chosen, and formed into sentences ; his writings are admirable ; he himself is not agreeable.
Page 108 - Every one must, of course, think his own opinions right ; for if he thought them wrong, they would no longer be his opinions : but there is a wide difference between regarding ourselves as infallible, and being firmly convinced of the truth of our creed. When...
Page 211 - When I reflect back upon what I have seen, what I have heard, and what I have done, I can hardly persuade myself that all that frivolous hurry and bustle and pleasure of the world had any reality; but I look upon all that...
Page 146 - And slight withal may be the things which bring Back on the heart the weight which it would fling Aside for ever : it may be a sound — A tone of music — summer's eve — or spring — A flower — the wind — the ocean — which shall wound, Striking the electric chain wherewith we are darkly bound ; XXIV.
Page 16 - Probability is likeliness to be true ; the very notation of the word signifying such a proposition for which there be arguments or proofs to make it pass, or be received, for true. The entertainment the mind gives this sort of propositions is called "belief," "assent,
Page 183 - That fly th' approach of morn. Alas, regardless of their doom, The little victims play ! No sense have they of ills to come, Nor care beyond to-day. Yet see how all around them wait The ministers of human fate, And black Misfortune's baleful train, Ah, show them where in ambush stand To seize their prey, the murderous band ! Ah, tell them, they are men!