Date: 1772

"No inference can give a juster idea of Des Cartes's doctrine of automata, than Mr. Regis's comparison of some hydraulic machines, to be seen in certain grottos and fountains, that serve as ornaments to the splendid mansions of the great; where water exerts itself by the disposition of the pipes,...

— Anonymous

Date: 1772

"It will remind me of what I used to be, and Pride will have to come to a standstill at the threshold of my heart."

— Diderot, Denis (1713-1784)

Date: 1773

"Whenever the operations of the soul are well performed, and the soul acts with entire liberty, the blood flows with moderate velocity; on the contrary, it circulates with great rapidity in frenzies, in strong agitations of the mind, and when the lamp of wisdom is extinct."

— Marat, Jean-Paul (1743-1793)

Date: 1773

"Thus likewise, when we form to ourselves a notion of the soul, we ever represent it as a thin shade, or subtil matter; in short, as a corporeal being, if we form any image of it at all."

— Marat, Jean-Paul (1743-1793)

Date: 1773

"Even immediately after profound meditation, the mind being fatigued, indulges itself in roving, although the will oppose; we indeed continue to think, but our thoughts are altogether irregular; we remain awake, but experience the effects of sleep; imagination traces the same airy semblances, the...

— Marat, Jean-Paul (1743-1793)

Date: 1773

"When the soul is engrossed by any violent passion, when the imagination forms a lively picture of the charms of a favourite object, represents it as the idol of the heart, adorns it with every attractive grace, and suffers it to make a deep impression on the mind; by degrees the charms, in which...

— Marat, Jean-Paul (1743-1793)

Date: 1773

"Nevertheless, if regular imagination requires the elasticity of our organs, it requires it in a less degree than reason; for its objects are neither necessarily dependant on each other, nor closely connected its productions are only detached parts, where the mind has nothing to do but to weave t...

— Marat, Jean-Paul (1743-1793)

Date: 1773

"It is therefore only by variously combining objects, by leaving (if I may be allowed the expression) the mind to rove at will, and by employing no more attention than is necessary to collect the result of its thoughts, and to select therefrom such as are for its purpose."

— Marat, Jean-Paul (1743-1793)

Date: 1773

Meek-eyed Toleration may, gentle as a dove, sit "enthroned upon the benevolent hearts of mannkind"

— Crawford, Charles (b. 1752)

Date: 1773

"Though you are so happy as to have parents, who are both capable and desirous of giving you all proper instruction, yet I, who love you so tenderly, cannot help fondly wishing to contribute something, if possible, to your improvement and welfare: and, as I am so far separated from you, that it i...

— Mulso [later Chapone], Hester (1727-1801)