And if nobody reads me, shall I have wasted my time, when I have beguiled so many idle hours with such pleasant and profitable reflections?

The oldest and best known evil was ever more supportable than one that was new and untried.

There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)

There is nothing which so poisons princes as flattery, nor anything whereby wicked men more easily obtain credit and favor with them.

Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.

There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven.

We have no participation in Being, because all human nature is ever midway between being born and dying, giving off only a vague image and shadow of itself, and a weak and uncertain opinion. And if you chance to fix your thoughts on trying to grasp its essence, it would be neither more nor less than if your tried to clutch water.