Earthly greatness is a nice thing, and requires so much chariness in the managing, as the contentment of it cannot requite.

[W]e all lie down in our bed of earth as sure to wake as ever we can be to shut our eyes.

I account this body nothing but a close prison to my soul; and the earth a larger prison to my body. I may not break prison till I be loosed by death; but I will leave it, not unwillingly,when I am loosed.

...Covetousness, looking more at what we would have than at what we have.

Ambition is torment enough for an enemy; for it affords as much discontentment in enjoying as in want, making men like poisoned rats, which, when they have tasted of their bane, cannot rest till they drink, and then can much less rest till they die

For every bad there might be a worse; and when one breaks his leg let him be thankful it was not his neck.

He that taketh his own cares upon himself loads himself in vain with an uneasy burden. I will cast all my cares on God; He hath bidden me; they cannot burden Him.