What fear has once made me will, I am bound still to will when without fear.

Might I have had my own will, I would not have married Wisdom herself, if she would have had me.

We may so seize on virtue, that if we embrace it with an overgreedy and violent desire, it may become vicious.

Wisdom has its excesses, and has no less need of moderation than folly.

I am one of those who hold that poetry is never so blithe as in a wanton and irregular subject.

After they had accustomed themselves at Rome to the spectacles of the slaughter of animals, they proceeded to those of the slaughter of men, to the gladiators.

The human face is a weak guarantee; yet it deserves some consideration. And if I had to whip the wicked, I would do so more severely to those who belied and betrayed the promises that nature had implanted on their brows; I would punish malice more harshly when it was hidden under a kindly appearance.