The most valuable discoveries have found their origin in the most trivial accidents.

There is alas no law against incompetency; no striking example is made. They learn by our bodily jeopardy and make experiments until the death of the patients, and the doctor is the only person not punished for murder.

Nature has given man no better thing than shortness of life.

In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain.

...shellfish are the prime cause of the decline of morals and the adaptation of an extravagant lifestyle. Indeed of the whole realm of Nature the sea is in many ways the most harmful to the stomach, with its great variety of dishes and tasty fish.

Most men are afraid of a bad name, but few fear their consciences.

It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.