The relish of good and evil depends in a great measure upon the opinion we have of them.

Speaking is half his that speaks, and half his that hears.

A man must become wise at his own expense.

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

We find ourselves more taken with the running up and down, the games, and puerile simplicities of our children, than we do, afterward, with their most complete actions; as if we had loved them for our sport, like monkeys, and not as men.

I aim here only at revealing myself, who will perhaps be different tomorrow, if I learn something new which changes me.

Ambition is, of all other, the most contrary humor to solitude; and glory and repose are so inconsistent that they cannot possibly inhabit one and the same place; and for so much as I understand, those have only their arms and legs disengaged from the crowd, their mind and intention remain engaged behind more than ever.