Nature without learning is like a blind man; learning without Nature, like a maimed one; practice without both, incomplete. As in agriculture a good soil is first sought for, then a skilful husbandman, and then good seed; in the same way nature corresponds to the soil, the teacher to the husbandman, precepts and instruction to the seed.

Good birth is a fine thing, but the merit is our ancestors.

Most people do not understand until old age what Plato tells them when they are young.

Real excellence, indeed, is most recognized when most openly looked into.

It is no flattery to give a friend a due character; for commendation is as much the duty of a friend as reprehension.

Gout is not relieved by a fine shoe nor a hangnail by a costly ring nor migraine by a tiara.

Pythagoras, when he was asked what time was, answered that it was the soul of this world.