“There is no method of reasoning more common, and yet none more blameable, than, in philosophical disputes, to endeavour the refutation of any hypothesis, by a pretence of its dangerous consequences to religion and morality. When any opinion leads to absurdities, it is certainly false; but it is not certain that an opinion is false, because it is of danger-ous consequence. Such topics, therefore, ought entirely to be forborne; as serving nothing to the discovery of truth, but only to make the personof an antagonist odious.”
“False assurances were certainly more harmful than none at all.”
“The false contrasts which the people, and consequently the language, believes in, are always dangerous fetters which impede the march of truth.”
“Whatever is almost true is quite false, and among the most dangerous of errors, because being so near truth, it is more likely to lead astray.”
“False hopes are more dangerous than fears.”
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”