[To Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, on his return from self-imposed exile, occasioned by the embarrassing flatulence he had experienced in the presence of the Queen:] My Lord, I had forgot the fart.

Prosperity provideth, but adversity proveth friends.

Had I been crested, not cloven, my Lords, you had not treated me thus.

Chastity is the ermine of woman's soul.

Mr. Doctor, that loose gown becomes you so well I wonder your notions should be so narrow.

Kings were wont to honour philosophers, but if I had such I would honour them as angels that should have such piety in them that they would not seek where they are the second to be the first, and where the third to be the second and so forth.

I have seen many a man turn his gold into smoke, but you are the first who has turned smoke into gold.