We are often infinitely mistaken, and take the falsest measures, when we envy the happiness of rich and great men; we know not the inward canker that eats out all their joy and delight, and makes them really much more miserable than ourselves.

Society is the atmosphere of souls; and we necessarily imbibe from it something which is either infectious or healthful.

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

I have seldom seen much ostentation and much learning met together. The sun, rising and declining, makes long shadows; at mid day, when he is highest, none at all.

What fools are we, to be besotted with the love of our own trouble, and to hate our liberty and rest!

Those that dare lose a day, ate dangerously prodigal; those that dare misspend it, are desperate.

Nothing doth so fool a man as extreme passion. This doth make them fools which otherwise are not, and show them to be fools which are so.