I do not understand; I pause; I examine.

To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct. Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately. All other things, ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, at most.

The judgment is an utensil proper for all subjects, and will have an oar in everything.

If falsehood, like truth, had but one face, we would be more on equal terms. For we would consider the contrary of what the liar said to be certain. But the opposite of truth has a hundred thousand faces and an infinite field.

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

Whoever will be cured of ignorance, let him confess it.

I look upon the too good opinion that man has of himself, as the nursing mother of all false opinions, both public and private.