The blessings of fortune are the lowest; the next are the bodily advantages of strength and health; but the superlative blessings, in fine, are those of the mind.

The common people do not judge of vice or virtue by morality or immorality, so much as by the stamp that is set upon it by men of figure.

Figure-flingers and star-gazers pretend to foretell the fortunes of kingdoms, and have no foresight in what concerns themselves.

Intemperate wits will spare neither friend nor foe, and make themselves the common enemies of mankind.

A plodding diligence brings us sooner to our journey's end than a fluttering way of advancing by starts.

He that contemns a shrew to the degree of not descending to words with her does worse than beat her.

Nothing is so fierce but love will soften; nothing so sharp-sighted in other matters but it will throw a mist before its eyes.