Our wisdom and deliberation for the most part follow the lead of chance.

Every other knowledge is harmful to him who does not have knowledge of goodness.

Fortune does us neither good nor hurt; she only presents us the matter, and the seed, which our soul, more powerfully than she, turns and applies as she best pleases; being the sole cause and sovereign mistress of her own happy or unhappy condition.

Rash and incessant scolding runs into custom and renders itself despised.

The archer who overshoots his mark does no better than he who falls short of it.

The truth of these days is not that which really is, but what every man persuades another man to believe.

The same reason that makes us chide and brawl and fall out with any of our neighbors, causeth a war to follow between Princes.