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

Repentance is no other than a recanting of the will, and opposition to our fancies, which lead us which way they please.

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.

There are some defeats more triumphant than victories.

We are Christians by the same title as we are natives of Perigord or Germany.

Who feareth to suffer suffereth already, because he feareth.

In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.