I will govern according to the common weal, but not according to the common will.

The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth: for kings are not only God's Lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called Gods.

Smoking is hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, and dangerous to the lungs.

I can make a lord, but only God can make a gentleman.

Herein is not only a great vanity, but a great contempt of God's good gifts, that the sweetness of man's breath, being a good gift of God, should be willfully corrupted by this stinking smoke.

That which we call wit consists much in quickness and tricks, and is so full of lightness that it seldom goes with judgment and solidity; but when they do meet, it is commonly in an honest man.

When a man makes up his mind to thrash another, he must also make up his mind to be a little thrashed himself.