The discovery of a good wine is increasingly better for mankind than the discovery of a new star.

Just as courage is the danger of life, so is fear its safeguard.

Putting your hand into a river, you simultaneously touch the last of what is passing and the first of what is coming.

I have wasted my hours.

Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous.

The knowledge of the past times and of the places of the earth is both an ornament and nutriment to the human mind.

Good culture is born of a good disposition; and since the cause is more to be praised than the effect, I will rather praise a good disposition without culture, than good culture without the disposition.