There are and can be only two ways of searching into and discovering truth. The one flies from the senses and particulars to the most general axioms, and from these principles, the truth of which it takes for settled and immovable, proceeds to judgment and to the discovery of middle axioms. And this way is now in fashion. The other derives axioms from the senses and particulars, rising by a gradual and unbroken ascent, so that it arrives at the most general axioms last of all. This is the true way, but as yet untried.

If you want to convey fact, this can only ever be done through a form of distortion. You must distort to transform what is called appearance into image.

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel.

I hold every man a debtor to his profession.

The man who fears no truths has nothing to fear from lies.

Secrecy in suits goes a great way towards success.

What is truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.