It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you have established, according to your fine undertstanding, the limits of truth and falsehood, and it turns out that you must necessarily believe things even stranger than those you deny, you are obliged from then on to abandon these limits.

Obstinacy and dogmatism are the surest signs of stupidity. Is there anything more confident, resolute, disdainful, grave and serious than an ass?

The secret counsels of princes are a troublesome burden to such as have only to execute them.

I would rather be old for a shorter time than be old before my time.

I love a friendship that flatters itself in the sharpness and vigor of its communications.

The receipts of cookery are swelled to a volume, but a good stomach excels them all; to which nothing contributes more than industry and temperance.

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.