Discontents are sometimes the better part of our life. I know not well which is the most useful; joy I may choose for pleasure, but adversities are the best for profit; and sometimes those do so far help me, as I should, without them, want much of the joy I have.

Fear, if it be not immoderate, puts a guard about us that does watch and defend us; but credulity keeps us naked, and lays us open to all the sly assaults of ill-intending men: it was a virtue when man was in his innocence; but since his fall, it abuses those that own it.

He that, when he should not, spends too much, shall, when he would not, have too little to spend.

We pick our own sorrows out of the joys of other men, and from their sorrows likewise we derive our joys.

Discontent is like ink poured into water, which fills the whole fountain full of blackness.

He who would be singular in his apparel had need have something superlative to balance that affectation.

Virtue is the truest liberty.