Examples teach us that in military affairs, and all others of a like nature, study is apt to enervate and relax the courage of man, rather than to give strength and energy to the mind.

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

There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven.

In my youth I studied for ostentation; later, a little to gain wisdom; now, for recreation; never for gain.

Human wisdom makes as ill use of her talent when she exercises it in rescinding from the number and sweetness of those pleasures that are naturally our due, as she employs it favorably and well in artificially disguising and tricking out the ills of life to alleviate the sense of them.

A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.

To say less of yourself than is true is stupidity, not modesty. To pay yourself less than you are worth is cowardice and pusillanimity.