We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do.

Hurl your calumnies boldly; something is sure to stick.

You want accuracy, but not representation. If you know how to make the figuration, it doesn't work. Anything you can make, you make by accident. In painting, you have to know what you do, not how, when you do it.

Mahomet made the people believe that he would call a hill to him, and from the top of it offer up his prayers for the observers of his law. The people assembled: Mahomet called the hill to come to him again and again; and when the hill stood still, he was never a whit abashed, but said, 'If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the hill.'

Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other.

Mark what a generosity and courage (a dog) will put on when he finds himself maintained by a man, who to him is instead of a God

Great riches have sold more men than they have bought.