There never were, in the world, two opinions alike, no more than two hairs, or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.

Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.

We are nothing but ceremony; ceremony carries us away, and we leave the substance of things; we hang on to the branches and abandon the trunk and body.

For there is no air that men so greedily draw in, that diffuses itself so soon, and that penetrates so deep as that of license.

We endeavor more that men should speak of us, than how and what they speak, and it sufficeth us that our name run in men's mouths, in what manner soever. It stemma that to be known is in some sort to have life and continuance in other men's keeping.

Truly it is reasonable to make a great distinction between the faults that come from our weakness and those that come from our wickedness.

Man (in good earnest) is a marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable subject, and on whom it is very hard to form any certain and uniform judgment.