The virtue of the soul does not consist in flying high, but in walking orderly.

It is probable that the principal credit of miracles, visions, enchantments, and such extraordinary occurrences comes from the power of imagination, acting principally upon the minds of the common people, which are softer.

No noble thing can be done without risks.

Human understanding is marvellously enlightened by daily conversation with men, for we are, otherwise, compressed and heaped up in ourselves, and have our sight limited to the length of our own noses.

I am further of opinion that it would be better for us to have [no laws] at all than to have them in so prodigious numbers as we have.

I listen with attention to the judgment of all men; but so far as I can remember, I have followed none but my own.

He who is not sure of his memory, should not undertake the trade of lying.