The wise man lacked nothing but needed a great number of things, whereas the fool, on the other hand, needs nothing (for he does not know how to use anything) but lacks everything.

You find in some a sort of graceless modesty, that makes them ashamed to requite an obligation.

Truth will never be tedious unto him that travelleth in the secrets of nature; there is nothing but falsehood that glutteth us.

Pleasure dies at the very moment when it charms us most.

Great is he who enjoys his earthenware as if it were plate, and not less great is the man to whom all his plate is no more that earthenware.

Virtue hath no virtue if it be not impugned; then appeareth how great it is, of what value and power it is, when by patience it approveth what it works.

Conversation has a kind of charm about it, an insuating and insidious something that elicits secrets from us just like love or liquor.