The worth of the mind consisteth not in going high, but in marching orderly.

Obstinacy and contention are common qualities, most appearing in, and best becoming, a mean and illiterate soul.

Other passions have objects to flatter them, and seem to content and satisfy them for a while; there is power in ambition, pleasure in luxury, and pelf in covetousness; but envy can gain nothing but vexation.

The good opinion of the vulgar is injurious.

Age imprints more wrinkles a in the mind, than it does in the face, and souls are never, or very rarely seen, that in growing old do not smell sour and musty. Man moves all together, both towards his perfection and decay.

Princes give mee sufficiently, if they take nothing from me, and doe me much good, if they doe me no hurt: it is all I require of them.

We are born to inquire into truth; it belongs to a greater to possess it