The opinion formulated by the Church has more value in my eyes than human reasons, whatever they may be.

Fools are without number.

Nature, more of a stepmother than a mother in several ways, has sown a seed of evil in the hearts of mortals, especially in the more thoughtful men, which makes them dissatisfied with their own lot and envious of another s.

As an example of just how useless these philosophers are for any practice in life there is Socrates himself, the one and only wise man, according to the Delphic Oracle. Whenever he tried to do anything in public he had to break off amid general laughter. While he was philosophizing about clouds and ideas, measuring a flea's foot and marveling at a midge's humming, he learned nothing about the affairs of ordinary life.

Apothegms are in history, the same as pearls in the sand, or gold in the mine.

Everybody hates a prodigy, detests an old head on young shoulders.

A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit.