But this is that which will dignify and exalt knowledge: if contemplation and action be more nearly and straitly conjoined and united together than they have been: a conjunction like unto that of the highest planets, Saturn, the planet of rest and contemplation, and Jupiter, the planet of civil society and action.

Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.

The logic now in use serves rather to fix and give stability to the errors which have their foundation in commonly received notions than to help the search for truth. So it does more harm than good.

There was never law, or sect, or opinion did so much magnify goodness, as the Christian religion doth.

If a man's wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics.

For knowledge, too, is itself power.

It cannot be denied that outward accidents conduce much to fortune, favor, opportunity, death of others, occasion fitting virtue; but chiefly, the mold of a man's fortune is in his own hands