In the education of children there is nothing like alluring the interest and affection; otherwise you only make so many asses laden with books.

I must use these great men's virtues as a cloak for my weakness.

How many valiant men we have seen to survive their own reputation!

Let every foot have its own shoe.

A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.

Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge ourselves by railing at it; and yet it is not absolutely railing against anything, to proclaim its defects, because they are in all things to be found, how beautiful or how much to be coveted soever.

In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.