Is it reasonable that even the arts should take advantage of and profit by our natural stupidity and feebleness of mind?

I put forward formless and unresolved notions, as do those who publish doubtful questions to debate in the schools, not to establish the truth but to seek it.

He who lives not to others, lives little to himself.

The births of all things are weak and tender and therefore we should have our eyes intent on beginnings.

If these Essays were worthy of being judged, it might fall out, in my opinion, that they would not find much favour, either with common and vulgar minds, or with uncommon and eminent ones: the former would not find enough in them, the latter would find too much; they might manage to live somewhere in the middle region.

The pleasure we hold in esteem for the course of our lives ought to have a greater share of our time dedicated to it; we should refuse no occasion nor omit any opportunity of drinking, and always have it in our minds.

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