Learning hath his infancy, when it is but beginning and almost childish; then his youth, when it is luxuriant and juvenile; then his strength of years, when it is solid and reduced; and lastly his old age, when it waxeth dry and exhaust.

Riches are for spending, and spending for honor and good actions; therefore extraordinary expense must be limited by the worth of the occasion.

People prefer to believe what they want to be true.

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

An artist must learn to be nourished by his passions and by his despairs.

He that cometh to seek after knowledge, with a mind to scorn, shall be sure to find matter for his humour, but no matter for his instruction.

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