Cunning is neither the consequence of sense, nor does it give sense. A proof that it is not sense, is that cunning people never imagine that others can see through them. It is the consequence of weakness.

Exercise is the worst thing in the world and as bad an invention as gunpowder.

I never found even in my juvenile hours that it was necessary to go a thousand miles in search of themes for moralizing.

Serendipity... You will understand it better by the derivation than by the definition. I once read a silly fairy tale, called 'The Three Princes of Serendip': as their Highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of.

[King René of Anjou (1409-80)] would not listen to the news of his son having lost the Kingdom of Naples, because he would not bedisturbed when painting a picture of a partridge.

To act with common sense according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know.

Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot on the necks of monarchs.