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If intellection and knowledge were mere passion from without, or the bare reception of extraneous and adventitious forms, then no reason could be given at all why a mirror or looking-glass should not understand; whereas it cannot so much as sensibly perceive those images which it receives and reflects to us.

— Ralph Cudworth Treatise Concerning Eternal and Immutable Morality (1731)

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More quotes by Ralph Cudworth

Truth is the most unbending and uncompliable, the most necessary, firm, immutable, and adamantine thing in the world.

Treatise Concerning Eternal and Immutable Morality (1731)

If this be not atheism, to acknowledge no other deity besides dead and senseless matter, then the word hath no signification.

Some who are far from atheists, may make themselves merry with that conceit of thousands of spirits dancing at once upon a needle's point.

Knowledge is not a passion from without the mind, but an active exertion of the inward strength, vigour and power of the mind, displaying itself from within.

Treatise Concerning Eternal and Immutable Morality (1731)

The golden beams of truth and the silken cords of love, twisted together, will draw men on with a sweet violence whether they will or not.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Ralph Cudworth (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.