Date: 1734

"But what shall we think of this strange Sieve, which lets some things pass through, and retains others; and often retains the most unprofitable?"

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"But what shall we think of this odd Treasury, which retains things during a certain time, and then loses them, even before the Infirmities of Age come on? We say a thing has dropt out of our head: (where does it drop?) and it drops in again when we least expect it. What Corners do those Images l...

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"The question is, how this Familiarity arises? and how the Cabinet comes to be sensible of any thing that's put into it? A Scritore knows nothing of the Papers which the careful Banker locks up in it? Or a Glass, tho' it may be said to receive the Image of a Beau, and he really sees somewhat of h...

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"Words therefore may be called Thoughts in Vehicle."

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"'Tis generally in favour of the Senses that the Passions are exerted; these are alarm'd and rise in arms, when our Pleasures are in danger."

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"And if it be said that the Understanding, which is but passive it self, like the bodily Eye, cannot be called the Leader of the rest of the Faculties; it must be granted, that (strictly speaking) it is rather the Light than the Guide: for if we consider it in the three Operations mention'd by th...

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"Shall we say then, that there is a first Mover within us, a Mind, Rector, or presiding Faculty over the rest?"

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"But what Texture of the Brain is sufficient to perform all the various Operations they assign to it, Sensation, Reflection, Wishing, Loving, Hating? Of what figure are the Cells for Poetry, and those for Mathematicks? And what Lodgings of the Brain are Honesty and Knavery to be found in?"

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"We may see God indeed in his Works, for the Heavens declare his Glory, and there may be an impression of his almighty Power upon our minds some other way than by our own Reasoning or making Inferences from the things that strike our Senses."

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)

Date: 1734

"And there seems to be the like Impression on the Minds of the generality of Mankind, very much to the honour of the divine Wisdom, that God draws Order out of Confusion."

— Forbes of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, Lord (1678-1762)