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.

Praise has different effects, according to the mind it meets with; it makes a wise man modest, but a fool more arrogant, turning his weak brain giddy.

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

Virtue dwells at the head of a river, to which we cannot get but by rowing against the stream.

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

If ever I should affect injustice, it would be in this, that I might do courtesies and receive none.

Any man shall speak the better when he knows what others have said, and sometimes the consciousness of his inward knowledge gives a confidence to his outward behavior, which of all other is the best thing to grace a man in his carriage.