The conduct of our lives is the true mirror of our doctrine.

Shame on all eloquence which leaves us with a taste for itself and not for its substance.

As for me, then, I love life and cultivate it just as God has been pleased to grant it to us.

Diogenes was asked what wine he liked best; and he answered as I would have done when he said, "Somebody else's".

Books are pleasant, but if by being over-studious we impair our health and spoil our good humour, two of the best things we have, let us give it over. I, for my part, am one of those who think no fruit derived from them can recompense so great a loss.

Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome.

The middle sort of historians (of which the most part are) spoil all; they will chew our meat for us.