Thomas Reid - Essays on the active powers of man

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The laws of nature are the rules according to which the effects are produced; but there must be a cause which operates according to these rules. The laws of navigation never navigated a ship. The rules of architecture never built a house.

Thomas Reid

And, if we have any evidence that the wisdom which formed the plan is in the man, we have the very same evidence, that the power which executed it is in him also.

Thomas Reid

It appears evident, therefore, that those actions only can truly be called virtuous, and deserving of moral approbation, which the agent believed to be right, and to which he was influenced, more or less, by that belief.

Thomas Reid

In every case, we ought to act that part towards another, which we would judge to be right in him to act toward us, if we were in his circumstances and he in ours; or more generally - What we approve in others, that we ought to practise in like circumstances, what we condemn in others we ought not to do.

Thomas Reid

Must acknowledge, that to act properly is much more valuable than to think justly or reason acutely.

Thomas Reid

Every indication of wisdom, taken from the effect, is equally an indication of power to execute what wisdom planned.

Thomas Reid