Solitude can be used well by very few people. They who do must have a knowledge of the world to see the foolishness of it, and enough virtue to despise all the vanity.

Come, my best Friends! my Books! and lead me on.

As for being much known by sight, and pointed out, I cannot comprehend the honor that lies withal; whatsoever it be, every mountebank has it more than the best doctor.

I never had any other desire so strong, and so like covetousness, as that ... I might be master at last of a small house and a large garden, with very moderate conveniences joined to them, and there dedicate the remainder of my life to the culture of them and the study of nature.

Hope is the most hopeless thing of all.

Acquaintance I would have, but when it depends; not on number, but the choice of friends.

Unbind the charms that in slight fables lie and teach that truth is truest poesy.