Habits wear more constantly and with greatest force than reason, which, when we have most need of it, is seldom fairly consulted, and more rarely obeyed

Let not men think there is no truth, but in the sciences that they study, or the books that they read.

Success in fighting means not coming at your opponent the way he wants to fight you.

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.

If we will disbelieve everything, because we cannot certainly know all things, we shall do much what as wisely as he who would not use his legs, but sit still and perish, because he had no wings to fly.

Untruth being unacceptable to the mind of man, there is no other defence left for absurdity but obscurity.

Every man carries about him a touchstone, if he will make use of it, to distinguish substantial gold from superficial glitterings, truth from appearances. And indeed the use and benefit of this touchstone, which is natural reason, is spoiled and lost only by assuming prejudices, overweening presumption, and narrowing our minds.