If I speak of myself in different ways, that is because I look at myself in different ways.

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.

So it is with minds. Unless you keep them busy with some definite subject that will bridle and control them, they throw themselves in disorder hither and yon in the vague field of imagination... And there is no mad or idle fancy that they do not bring forth in the agitation.

I want to be seen here in my simple, natural, ordinary fashion, without straining or artifice; for it is myself that I portray... I am myself the matter of my book.

There is a sort of gratification in doing good which makes us rejoice in ourselves.

I had rather fashion my mind than furnish it.

Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.