He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

The first lessons with which we should irrigate his mind should be those which teach him to know himself, and to know how to die ... and to live.

A speech belongs half to the speaker and half to the listener.

So it is with minds. Unless you keep them busy with some definite subject that will bridle and control them, they throw themselves in disorder hither and yon in the vague field of imagination... And there is no mad or idle fancy that they do not bring forth in the agitation.

Praise is always pleasing, let it come from whom, or upon what account it will.

When I am attached by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.

It is far more probable that our senses should deceive us, than that an old woman should be carried up a chimney on a broom stick; and that it is far less astonishing that witnesses should lie, than that witches should perform the acts that were alleged.