A definition is nothing else but an explication of the meaning of a word, by words whose meaning is already known. Hence it is evident that every wor…

- Thomas Reid

It is natural to men to judge of things less known, by some similitude they observe, or think they observe, between them and things more familiar or …

- Thomas Reid

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

- Thomas Reid

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 …

- Thomas Reid

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

- Thomas Reid

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

- Thomas Reid

The want of faith, as well as faith itself, is best shewn by works. If a sceptic avoid the fire as much as those who believe it dangerous to go into …

- Thomas Reid

In every chain of reasoning, the evidence of the last conclusion can be no greater than that of the weakest link of the chain, whatever may be the st…

- Thomas Reid

The finest productions of human art are immensely short of the meanest work of Nature. The nicest artist cannot make a feather or the leaf of a tree.

- Thomas Reid