In my youth I thought of writing a satire on mankind! but now in my age I think I should write an apology for them.

What can be found equal to modesty, uncorrupt faith, the sister of justice, and undisguised truth?

The short span of life forbids us to spin out hope to any length. Soon will night be upon you, and the fabled Shades, and the shadowy Plutonian home.

We set up harsh and unkind rules against ourselves. No one is born without faults. That man is best who has fewest.

Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque revenit. You can drive nature out with a pitchfork, she will nevertheless come back.

A good resolve will make any port.

They change their sky, not their mind, who cross the sea. A busy idleness possesses us: we seek a happy life, with ships and carriages: the object of our search is present with us.