Unlawful desires are punished after the effect of enjoying; but impossible desires are punished in the desire itself.

Weigh not so much what men assert, as what they prove. Truth is simple and naked, and needs not invention to apparel her comeliness.

Whatever comes out of despair cannot bear the title of valor, which should be lifted up to such a height that holding all things under itself, it should be able to maintain its greatness, even in the midst of miseries.

For the uttering sweetly and properly the conceit of the mind, English hath it equally with any other tongue in the world.

Self-love is better than any gilding to make that seem gorgeous wherein ourselves be parties.

For as much as to understand and to be mighty are great qualities, the higher that they be, they are so much the less to be esteemed if goodness also abound not in the possessor.

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