We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.

From writing rapidly it does not result that one writes well, but from writing well it results that one writes rapidly.

Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue.

Consequently the student who is devoid of talent will derive no more profit from this work than barren soil from a treatise on agriculture.

The perfection of art is to conceal art.

Prune what is turgid, elevate what is commonplace, arrange what is disorderly, introduce rhythm where the language is harsh, modify where it is too absolute.

Minds that are stupid and incapable of science are in the order of nature to be regarded as monsters and other extraordinary phenomena; minds of this sort are rare. Hence I conclude that there are great resources to be found in children, which are suffered to vanish with their years. It is evident, therefore, that it is not of nature, but of our own negligence, we ought to complain.