Nevertheless if any skillful Servant of Nature shall bring force to bear on matter, and shall vex it and drive it to extremities as if with the purpose of reducing it to nothing, then will matter (since annihilation or true destruction is not possible except by the omnipotence of God) finding itself in these straits, turn and transform itself into strange shapes, passing from one change to another till it has gone through the whole circle and finished the period.

...those experiments be not only esteemed which have an immediate and present use, but those principally which are of most universal consequence for invention of other experiments, and those which give more light to the invention of causes; for the invention of the mariner's needle, which giveth the direction, is of no less benefit for navigation than the invention of the sails, which give the motion.

We rise to great heights by a winding staircase of small steps.

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

For it is most true that a natural and secret hatred and aversation towards society in any man, hath somewhat of the savage beast.

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.

The genius of any single man can no more equal learning, than a private purse hold way with the exchequer.