Take an arrow, and hold it in flame for the space of ten pulses, and when it cometh forth you shall find those parts of the arrow which were on the outsides of the flame more burned, blacked, and turned almost to coal, whereas the midst of the flame will be as if the fire had scarce touched it. This is an instance of great consequence for the discovery of the nature of flame; and sheweth manifestly, that flame burneth more violently towards the sides than in the midst.

There were taken apples, and ... closed up in wax. ... After a month's space, the apple inclosed in was was as green and fresh as the first putting in, and the kernals continued white. The cause is, for that all exclusion of open air, which is ever predatory, maintaineth the body in its first freshness and moisture.

It is a miserable state of mind to have few things to desire and many things to fear.

Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New.

Wounds cannot be cured without searching.

The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses.

Since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, let men by all means endeavor to obtain good customs.