To be able to bear provocation is an argument of great reason, and to forgive it of a great mind.

If the show of any thing be good for any thing, I am sure sincerity is better; for why does any man dissemble, or seem to be that which he is not, but because he thinks it good to have such a quality as he pretends to?

Great is the advantage of patience.

Are we proud and passionate, malicious and revengeful? Is this to be like-minded with Christ, who was meek and lowly?

It is pleasant to be virtuous and good, because that is to excel many others; it is pleasant to grow better, because that is to excel ourselves; it is pleasant to mortify and subdue our lusts, because that is victory; it is pleasant to command our appetites and passions, and to keep them in due order within the bounds of reason and religion, because this is empire.

Our belief or disbelief of a thing does not alter the nature of the thing.

Is not he imprudent, who, seeing the tide making haste towards him apace, will sleep till the sea overwhelms him?