In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

Fear sometimes adds wings to the heels, and sometimes nails them to the ground, and fetters them from moving.

Wonder is the foundation of all philosophy, inquiry the progress, ignorance the end.

A man has need of tough ears to hear himself fairly judged.

God defend me from being an honest man according to the description which every day I see made by each man to his own glorification

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.

I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers and only the thread that bonds them is my own.