There have been many most excellent poets that have never versified, and now swarm many versifiers that need never answer to the name of poets.

Our erected wit maketh us to know what perfection is.

So, then, the best of the historian is subject to the poet; for whatsoever action or faction, whatsoever counsel, policy, or war-stratagem the historian is bound to recite, that may the poet, if he list, with his imitation make his own, beautifying it both for further teaching and more delighting, as it pleaseth him; having all, from Dante’s Heaven to his Hell, under the authority of his pen.

I willingly confess that it likes me better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature.

There is nothing evil but what is within us; the rest is either natural or accidental.

It is not good to wake a sleeping lion.

Every present occasion will catch the senses of the vain man; and with that bridle and saddle you may ride him.