Learned we may be with another man's learning: we can only be wise with wisdom of our own.

The corruption of the age is made up by the particular contribution of every individual man; some contribute treachery, others injustice, atheism, tyranny, avarice, cruelty, according to their power.

As by some might be saide of me: that here I have but gathered a nosegay of strange floures, and have put nothing of mine unto it, but the thred to binde them. Certes, I have given unto publike opinion, that these borrowed ornaments accompany me; but I meane not they should cover or hide me.

Human wisdom makes as ill use of her talent when she exercises it in rescinding from the number and sweetness of those pleasures that are naturally our due, as she employs it favorably and well in artificially disguising and tricking out the ills of life to alleviate the sense of them.

I find that the best virtue I have has in it some tincture of vice.

No pleasure is fully delightful without communications, and no delight absolute except imparted.

Reason has so many forms that we do not know which to choose-Experiment has no fewer.