It is a sign of contraction of the mind when it is content, or of weariness.

The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.

In true education, anything that comes to our hand is as good as a book: the prank of a page- boy, the blunder of a servant, a bit of table talk - they are all part of the curriculum.

There is no passion so much transports the sincerity of judgment as doth anger

We judge a horse not only by its pace on a racecourse, but also by its walk, nay, when resting in its stable.

What harm cause not those huge draughts or pictures which wanton youth with chalk or coals draw in each passage, wall or stairs of our great houses, whence a cruel contempt of our natural store is bred in them?

I love those historians that are either very simple or most excellent. Such as are between both (which is the most common fashion), it is they that spoil all; they will needs chew our meat for us and take upon them a law to judge, and by consequence to square and incline the story according to their fantasy.