Traveling through the world produces a marvelous clarity in the judgment of men. We are all of us confined and enclosed within ourselves, and see no farther than the end of our nose. This great world is a mirror where we must see ourselves in order to know ourselves. There are so many different tempers, so many different points of view, judgments, opinions, laws and customs to teach us to judge wisely on our own, and to teach our judgment to recognize its imperfection and natural weakness.

Friendship is a creature formed for a companionship not for a herd.

I must use these great men's virtues as a cloak for my weakness.

Every man has within himself the entire human condition

There are few things on which we can pass a sincere judgement, because there are few things in which we have not, in one way or another, a particular interest.

There is no doubt that Greek and Latin are great and handsome ornaments, but we buy them too dear.

Meditation is a powerful and full study as can effectually taste and employ themselves.