Observation and experiment for gathering material, induction and deduction for elaborating it: these are are only good intellectual tools.

Nay, number itself in armies importeth not much, where the people is of weak courage; for, as Virgil saith, It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep be.

Some men covet knowledge out of a natural curiosity and inquisitive temper; some to entertain the mind with variety and delight; some for ornament and reputation; some for victory and contention; many for lucre and a livelihood; and but few for employing the Divine gift of reason to the use and benefit of mankind.

There is nothing more certain in nature than that it is impossible for any body to be utterly annihilated.

Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.

In one and the same fire, clay grows hard and wax melts.

Painting is the pattern of one's own nervous system being projected on canvas.