The idea, which constitutes the actual being of the human mind, is not simple, but compounded of a great number of ideas.

Nothing in the universe is contingent, but all things are conditioned to exist and operate in a particular manner by the necessity of the divine nature.

I saw that all things I feared, and which feared me, had nothing good or bad in them save insofar as the mind was affected by them.

It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the world.

Desire is the essence of a man.

The multitude always strains after rarities and exceptions, and thinks little of the gifts of nature; so that, when prophecy is talked of, ordinary knowledge is not supposed to be included. Nevertheless it has as much right as any other to be called Divine.

Statesman are suspected of plotting against mankind, rather than consulting their interests, and are esteemed more crafty than learned.