Date: 1775

"Also those phenomena in nature which depend upon gravity, electricity, &c. are no less various and complex; and the more we know of nature, the more particular facts, and particular laws, we are able to reduce to simple and general laws: insomuch that now it does not appear impossible, but that,...

— Priestley, Joseph (1733-1804)

Date: 1783

The senses may "sing and dance round Reason's fine-wrought throne"

— Blake, William (1757-1827)

Date: 1787

Money may be a ruling passion

— Holcroft, Thomas (1745-1809)

Date: 1788

"The Mind herself, best judge of her own state, / Is feelingly convinced; nor to be moved / By subtle words, that may perplex the head, / But ne'er persuade the heart."

— Crowe, William (1745-1829)

Date: 1789

"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure."

— Bentham, Jeremy (1748-1832)

Date: 1789

"In words a man may pretend to abjure their empire [pain and pleasure]: but in reality he will remain subject to it all the while"

— Bentham, Jeremy (1748-1832)

Date: w. January 24, 1789

"Reason drops headlong from his sacred throne."

— Burns, Robert (1759-1796)

Date: w. January 24, 1789

"Your dear idea reigns, and reigns alone; / Each thought intoxicated homage yields, / And riots wanton in forbidden fields."

— Burns, Robert (1759-1796)

Date: 1789, 1800

"On his one ruling passion Sir Pope hugely labors, / That, like th'old Hebrew walking-switch, eats up its neighbours."

— Burns, Robert (1759-1796)

Date: 1789, 1800

"Human Nature's his show-box--your friend, would you know him? / Pull the string, Ruling Passion--the picture will show him."

— Burns, Robert (1759-1796)