A liar would be brave toward God, while he is a coward toward men; for a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.

Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge ourselves by railing at it; and yet it is not absolutely railing against anything, to proclaim its defects, because they are in all things to be found, how beautiful or how much to be coveted soever.

Things seem greater by imagination than they are in effect.

It is an absolute perfection and virtually divine to know how to enjoy our being rightfully.

Pride and curiosity are the two scourges of our souls. The latter prompts us to poke our noses into everything, and the former forbids us to leave anything unresolved and undecided.

Is there anything so grave and serious as an ass?

Whatever the Benefits of Fortune are , they yet require a Palate fit to relish and taste them; 'Tis Fruition, and not Possession, that renders us Happy.