The motives of the best actions will not bear too strict an inquiry. It is allowed that the cause of most actions, good or bad, may be resolved into the love of ourselves; but the self-love of some men inclines them to please others, and the self-love of others is wholly employed in pleasing themselves. This makes the great distinction between virtue and vice.

Fools are apt to imitate only the defects of their betters.

Undoubtedly, philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison.

Wise people are never less alone than when they are alone.

Pedantry is properly the over-rating of any kind of knowledge we pretend to.

Apollo was held the god of physic and sender of disease. Both were originally the same trade, and still continue.

Conscience signifies that knowledge which a man hath of his own thoughts and actions; and because, if a man judgeth fairly of his actions by comparing them with the law of God, his mind will approve or condemn him; this knowledge or conscience may be both an accuser and a judge.