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.

Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.

Is it not a noble farce, wherein kings, republics, and emperors have for so many ages played their parts, and to which the whole vast universe serves for a theatre?

A man should think less of what he eats and more with whom he eats because no food is so satisfying as good company.

The births of all things are weak and tender and therefore we should have our eyes intent on beginnings.

There is no knowledge so hard to acquire as the knowledge of how to live this life well and naturally.

It is not a mind, it is not a body that we educate, but it is a man, and we must not make two parts of him.