It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius ever arrives at maturity.

The soul languishing in obscurity contracts a kind of rust, or abandons itself to the chimera of presumption; for it is natural for it to acquire something, even when separated from any one.

We should not speak so that it is possible for the audience to understand us, but so that it is impossible for them to misunderstand us.

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity.

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

Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetite.

One thing, however, I must premise, that without the assistance of natural capacity, rules and precepts are of no efficacy.