A great part of art consists in imitation. For the whole conduct of life is based on this: that what we admire in others we want to do ourselves.

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.

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 prosperous can not easily form a right idea of misery.

The mind is exercised by the variety and multiplicity of the subject matter, while the character is moulded by the contemplation of virtue and vice.

Whilst we deliberate how to begin a thing, it grows too late to begin it.

When we cannot hope to win, it is an advantage to yield.