The entire method consists in the order and arrangement of the things to which the mind's eye must turn so that we can discover some truth.

If ... it is not in my power to arrive at the knowledge of any truth, I may at least do what is in my power, namely, suspend judgement.

Truths are more likely to be discovered by one man than by a nation

For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is rightly to apply it.

And thereby make ourselves, as it were, the lords and masters of nature.

If I found any new truths in the sciences, I can say that they follow from, or depend on, five or six principal problems which I succeeded in solving and which I regard as so many battles where the fortunes of war were on my side.

Situations in life often permit no delay; and when we cannot determine the course which is certainly best, we must follow the one which is probably the best. This frame of mind freed me also from the repentance and remorse commonly felt by those vacillating individuals who are always seeking as worthwhile things which they later judge to be bad.