The archer who overshoots his mark does no better than he who falls short of it.

Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are found and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing.

Life itself is neither a good nor an evil: life is where good or evil find a place, depending on how you make it for them.

When a Roman was returning from a trip, he used to send someone ahead to let his wife know, so as not to surprise her in the act.

The only thing certain is nothing is certain.

I do not speak the minds of others except to speak my own mind better.

We have more poets than judges and interpreters of poetry. It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one. There is, indeed, a certain low and moderate sort of poetry, that a man may well enough judge by certain rules of art; but the true, supreme, and divine poesy is equally above all rules and reason. And whoever discerns the beauty of it with the most assured and most steady sight sees no more than the quick reflection of a flash of lightning.