Mankind, by the perverse depravity of their nature, esteem that which they have most desired as of no value the moment it is possessed, and torment themselves with fruitless wishes for that which is beyond their reach.

The blood of a nation ought never to be shed except for its own preservation in the utmost extremity.

If the crowns of all the kingdoms of the empire were laid down at my feet in exchange for my books and my love of reading I would spurn them all.

When kings interfere in matters of religion, they enslave instead of protecting it.

Crosses are of no use to us but inasmuch as we yield ourselves up to them and forget ourselves.

Trouble and perplexity drive me to prayer, and prayer drives away perplexity and trouble.

I had often heard Mentor say, that the voluptuous were never brave, and I now found by experience that it was true; for the Cyprians whose jollity had been so extravagant and tumultuous, now sunk under a sense of their danger and wept like women. I heard nothing but the screams of terror and the wailings of hopeless distress. Some lamented the loss of pleasures that were never to return; but none had presence of mind either to undertake or direct the navigation of the menaced vessel.