The only good histories are those written by those who had command in the events they describe.

To philosophize is to learn to die.

Amongst so many borrowed things, am glad if I can steal one, disguising and altering it for some new service.

'Tis the sharpness of our mind that gives the edge to our pains and pleasures.

I consider it equal injustice to set our heart against natural pleasures and to set our heart too much on them. We should neither pursue them, nor flee them; we should accept them.

Is there anything so grave and serious as an ass?

I am afraid that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and that we have more curiosity than understanding. We grasp at everything, but catch nothing except wind.