Quote#Wisdom
If Moses then was endued with supernatural knowledge, it is no longer…
Quote byWilliam Jones · 1746–1794
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Discourse the Ninth: "Origins and Families of Nations" (delivered 23 February 1792), in Asiatic Researches, vol. 3 (1799) pp. 479–92.
English (original)
If Moses then was endued with supernatural knowledge, it is no longer probable only, but absolutely certain, that the whole race of man proceeded from Iran as from a centre, whence they migrated at first in three great colonies; and that those three branches grew from a common flock, which had been miraculously preserved in a general convulsion and inundation of this globe.
— William Jones
More from William Jones
Than all Bocara's vaunted gold, Than all the gems of Samarcand.
What constitutes a state? Men who their duties know, But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain. And sovereign law, that state's collected will, O'er thrones and globes elate, Sits empress, crowning good, repressing ill.
Seven hours to law, to soothing slumber seven, Ten to the world allot, and all to heaven.
Of armies on the chequer’d field array’d, And guiltless war in pleasing form display’d; When two bold kings contend with vain alarms, In ivory this, and that in ebon arms.
Go boldly forth, my simple lay, Whose accents flow with artless ease, Like orient pearls at random strung.
My opinion is, that power should always be distrusted, in whatever hands it is placed.