The more a man drinketh of the world, the more it intoxicateth.

Take an arrow, and hold it in flame for the space of ten pulses, and when it cometh forth you shall find those parts of the arrow which were on the outsides of the flame more burned, blacked, and turned almost to coal, whereas the midst of the flame will be as if the fire had scarce touched it. This is an instance of great consequence for the discovery of the nature of flame; and sheweth manifestly, that flame burneth more violently towards the sides than in the midst.

Fortitude is the marshal of thought, the armor of the will, and the fort of reason.

There is superstition in avoiding superstition.

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.

It is idle to expect any great advancement in science from the superinducing and engrafting of new things upon old. We must begin anew from the very foundations, unless we would revolve for ever in a circle with mean and contemptible progress.

Who then to frail mortality shall trust But limns the water, or but writes in dust.