Logic and metaphysics make use of more tools than all the rest of the sciences put together, and do the least work.

No disorders have employed so many quacks, as those that have no cure; and no sciences have exercised so many quills, as those that have no certainty.

The only things in which we can be said to have any property are our actions. Our thoughts may be bad, yet produce no poison; they may be good, yet produce no fruit. Our riches may be taken away by misfortune, our reputation by malice, our spirits by calamity, our health by disease, our friends by death. But our actions must follow us beyond the grave; with respect to them alone, we cannot say that we shall carry nothing with us when we die, neither that we shall go naked out of the world.

We should choose our books as we would our companions, for their sterling and intrinsic merit.

Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.

Avarice has ruined more souls than extravagance.

Peace is the evening star of the soul, as virtue is its sun, and the two are never far apart.