Archimedes, that he might transport the entire globe ... demanded only a point that was firm and immovable; so also, I shall be entitled to entertain the highest expectations, if I am fortunate enough to discover only one thing that is certain and indubitable.

Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow.

I desire to live in peace and to continue the life I have begun under the motto 'to live well you must live unseen

So far, I have been a spectator in this theater which is the world, but I am now about to mount the stage, and I come forward masked.

It must not be thought that it is ever possible to reach the interior earth by any perseverance in mining: both because the exterior earth is too thick, in comparison with human strength; and especially because of the intermediate waters, which would gush forth with greater impetus, the deeper the place in which their veins were first opened; and which would drown all miners.

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.

Divide each difficulty at hand into as many pieces as possible and as could be required to better solve them.