Great authors, when they write about causes, adduce not only those they think are true but also those they do not believe in, provided they have some originality and beauty. They speak truly and usefully enough if they speak ingeniously.

The confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own, and God willingly favors such a confidence.

Obstinacy and heat in argument are surest proofs of folly. Is there anything so stubborn, obstinate, disdainful, contemplative, grave, or serious, as an ass?

Give me the provisions and whole apparatus of a kitchen, and I would starve.

Wisdom has its excesses, and has no less need of moderation than folly.

To make judgements about great and lofty things, a soul of the same stature is needed; otherwise we ascribe to them that vice which is our own.

Our own peculiar human condition is that we are as fit to be laughed at as able to laugh.