Whereas young people become accomplished in geometry and mathematics, and wise within these limits, prudent young people do not seem to be found. The reason is that prudence is concerned with particulars as well as universals, and particulars become known from experience, but a young person lacks experience, since some length of time is needed to produce it.

Should a man live underground, and there converse with the works of art and mechanism, and should afterwards be brought up into the open day, and see the several glories of the heaven and earth, he would immediately pronounce them the work of such a Being as we define God to be.

No one chooses what does not rest with himself, but only what he thinks can be attained by his own act.

Obstinate people can be divided into the opinionated, the ignorant, and the boorish.

Those who are not angry at the things they should be angry at are thought to be fools, and so are those who are not angry in the right way, at the right time, or with the right persons.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

Worthless persons appointed to have supreme control of weighty affairs do a lot of damage.