“The herd of mankind can hardly be said to think; their notions are almost all adoptive; and, in general, I believe it is better that it should be so; as such common prejudices contribute more to order and quiet, than their own separate reasonings would do, uncultivated and unimproved as they are.”

Book III, Ch.1
Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793)

Book Two, Chapter VI.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book Two

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 345.

As quoted in &quot;BiH: Predstavljen prijedlog teksta državne himne&quot; https://ba.voanews.com/a/a-29-2009-02-20-voa3-86124032/679893.html (20 February 2009), VOA News <br class="br">2000s

A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
Context: There are few with whom I can communicate so freely as with Pope. But Pope cannot bear every truth. He has a timidity which hinders the full exertion of his faculties, almost as effectually as bigotry cramps those of the general herd of mankind. But whoever is a genuine follower of truth keeps his eye steady upon his guide, indifferent whither he is led, provided that she is the leader. And, my Lord, if it may be properly considered, it were infinitely better to remain possessed by the whole legion of vulgar mistakes, than to reject some, and, at the same time, to retain a fondness for others altogether as absurd and irrational. The first has at least a consistency, that makes a man, however erroneously, uniform at least; but the latter way of proceeding is such an inconsistent chimera and jumble of philosophy and vulgar prejudice, that hardly anything more ridiculous can be conceived.

What’s Wrong with Twinkling Buttocks? http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_3_oh_to_be.html (Summer 2003). <br class="br">City Journal (1998 - 2008)

"The Office of the People in Art, Government and Religion", p. 430
Literary and Historical Miscellanies (1855)

Eragon and Oromis discussing the elves' religion.
Eldest (2005)
Context: "It seems a cold world without something … more."
"On the contrary," said Oromis, "it is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our own actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment. I won't tell you what to believe, Eragon. It is far better to be taught to think critically and then be allowed to make your own decisions than to have someone else's notions thrust upon you. You asked after our religion, and I have answered you true. Make of it what you will."

52 Iphicrates
Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders