For those colours which you wish to be beautiful, always first prepare a pure white ground.

Oh! Speculators on things, boast not of knowing the things that nature ordinarily brings about; but rejoice if you know the end of those things which you yourself device.

Learning acquired in youth arrests the evil of old age.

A man was desired to rise from bed because the sun was already up. He replied: "If I had as far to go and as much to do as he has, I should be up by now; but having but a little way to go, I shall not get up yet."

It is a far worthier thing to read by the light of experience than to adorn oneself with the labors of others.

A diamond is just a lump of coal that stuck to its job.

Test knowledge through experience, be prepared to make mistakes, and be persistent about it.