Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.

What harm cause not those huge draughts or pictures which wanton youth with chalk or coals draw in each passage, wall or stairs of our great houses, whence a cruel contempt of our natural store is bred in them?

The public weal requires that men should betray, and lie, and massacre.

When I was young, beautiful ancient statues were castrated, so that the eye might not be corrupted.... Nothing was gained, unless horses and asses had also been castrated.

Any person of honor chooses rather to lose his honor than to lose his conscience.

A father is very miserable who has no other hold on his children's affection than the need they have of his assistance, if that can be called affection.

One should always have one's boots on and be ready to leave.