The art of dining well is no slight art, the pleasure not a slight pleasure; neither the greatest captains nor the greatest philosophers have disdained the use or science of eating well.

Obsession is the wellspring of genius and madness.

I consider myself an average man, except in the fact that I consider myself an average man.

For among other things he had been counseled to bring me to love knowledge and duty by my own choice, without forcing my will, and to educate my soul entirely through gentleness and freedom.

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

Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.

I have never observed other effects of whipping than to render boys more cowardly, or more willfully obstinate.