The human understanding is no dry light, but receives an infusion from the will and affections... What a man had rather were true he more readily believes.

There is a cunning which we in England call the rning of the cat in the pan.

The bee enclosed and through the amber shown Seems buried in the juice which was his own.

Riches are for spending, and spending for honor and good actions; therefore extraordinary expense must be limited by the worth of the occasion.

Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the wise, the admiration of fools, the idols of paradise, and the slaves of their own vaunts.

Neither the naked hand nor the understanding left to itself can effect much. It is by instruments and helps that the work is done, which are as much wanted for the understanding as for the hand. And as the instruments of the hand either give motion or guide it, so the instruments of the mind supply either suggestions for the understanding or cautions.

Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.