But when, in the first setting out, he takes it for granted without proof, that distinctions found in the structure of all languages, have no foundation in nature; this surely is too fastidious a way of treating the common sense of mankind.

— Thomas Reid

Every conjecture we can form with regard to the works of God has as little probability as the conjectures of a child with regard to the works of a man.

— Thomas Reid

If there is anything that can be called genius it consists chiefly in the ability to give that attention to a subject which keeps it steadily in the mind till we have surveyed it accurately on all sides.

— Thomas Reid

There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words.

— Thomas Reid

The rules of navigation never navigated a ship. The rules of architecture never built a house.

— Thomas Reid