It is madness and a contradiction to expect that things which were never yet performed should be effected, except by means hitherto untried.

But men must know, that in this theatre of man's life it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on.

What, then, remains but that we still should cry, For being born, and, being born, to die?

...neither is it possible to discover the more remote and deeper parts of any science, if you stand but upon the level of the same science, and ascend not to a higher science.

Many secrets of art and nature are thought by the unlearned to be magical.

If vices were profitable, the virtuous man would be the sinner.

Dreams, and predictions of astrology....ought to serve but for winter talk by the fireside.