John Mason

"Every one of a common capacity hath the opportunity and ability to attain , if he will but recollect his rambling thoughts, turn them in upon himself, watch the motions of his heart."

"Other sciences are suited to the various conditions of life: some, more necessary to some; other, to others. But this equally concerns every one."

"It has often occurred to my mind in digesting my thoughts on this subject, what a pity it is that this most useful science should be so generally neglected in the modern methods of education; and that…"

", by which, “as in a glass, we may survey ourselves, and know what manner of persons we are,” discovers ourselves to us; pierces into the inmost recesses of the mind; strips off every disguise; lays o…"

"Whence is it that moral philosophy, which was so carefully cultivated in the ancient academy, should be forced in the modern to give place to natural, that was originally designed to be subservient to…"

"He who does not improve his temper together with his understanding, is not much the better for it."

"Thales, the Milesian, is said to be the first author of it1; who used to say, that, for a man to know himself, is the hardest thing in the world2. It was afterwards adopted by Chylon the Lacedemonian;…"