On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.

I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers and only the thread that bonds them is my own.

There is no passion that so much transports men from their right judgments as anger. No one would demur upon punishing a judge with death who should condemn a criminal upon the account of his own choler; why then should fathers and pedants be any more allowed to whip and chastise children in their anger? It is then no longer correction bat revenge. Chastisement is instead of physic to children; and should we suffer a physician who should be animated against and enraged at his patient?

Nor is it enough to toughen up his soul; you must also toughen up his muscles.

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.

I have often seen people uncivil by too much civility, and tiresome in their courtesy.

A good marriage ... is a sweet association in life: full of constancy, trust, and an infinite number of useful and solid services and mutual obligations.