I have friends whose society is delightful to me; they are persons of all countries and of all ages; distinguished in war, in council, and in letters; easy to live with, always at my command.

Often have I wondered with much curiosity as to our coming into this world and what will follow our departure.

Virtue is health, vice is sickness.

To begin with myself, then, the utterances of men concerning me will differ widely, since in passing judgment almost every one is influenced not so much by truth as by preference, and good and evil report alike know no bounds.

I desire that death find me ready and writing, or if it please Christ, praying and intears.

Alack our life, so beautiful to see, With how much ease life losest, in a day, What many years with pain and toil amassed!

Gold, silver, jewels, purple garments, houses built of marble, groomed estates, pious paintings, caparisoned steeds, and other things of this kind offer a mutable and superficial pleasure; books give delight to the very marrow of one's bones. They speak to us, consult with us, and join with us in a living and intense intimacy.