The study of nature with a view to works is engaged in by the mechanic, the mathematician, the physician, the alchemist, and the magician; but by all as things now are with slight endeavour and scanty success.

Gardening is the purest of human pleasures.

Why should I be angry with a man for loving himself better than me?

The wonder of a single snowflake outweighs the wisdom of a million meteorologists.

Virtue is like precious odours,-most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed.

I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.

Ask counsel of both timesof the ancient time what is best, and of the latter time what is fittest.