I seek in the reading of books, only to please myself, by an honest diversion.

Anyone who does not feel sufficiently strong in memory should not meddle with lying.

We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether good or bad, alike, for that has respect unto their office; but as to esteem and affection, these are only due to their virtue.

Disappointment and feebleness imprint upon us a cowardly and valetudinarian virtue.

Pleasure itself is painful at the bottom.

Among the liberal arts, let us begin with the art that liberates us.

We commend a horse for his strength, and sureness of foot, and not for his rich caparisons; a greyhound for his share of heels, not for his fine collar; a hawk for her wing, not for her jesses and bells. Why, in like manner, do we not value a man for what is properly his own? He has a great train, a beautiful palace, so much credit, so many thousand pounds a year, and all these are about him, but not in him.