For if I should not believe all that is written by Historians, of the glorious acts of Alexander, or Caesar; I do not think the Ghost of Alexander, or Caesar, had any just cause to be offended; or any body else, but the Historian. If Livy say the Gods made once a Cow speak, and we believe it not; we distrust not God therein, but Livy. So that it is evident, that whatsoever we believe, upon no other reason, then what is drawn from authority of men only, and their writings; whether they be sent from God or not, is Faith in men only.

There is no such thing as perpetual tranquillity of mind while we live here; because life itself is but motion, and can never be without desire, nor without fear, no more than without sense.

Nature itself cannot err

A wise man should so write (though in words understood by all men) that wise men only should be able to commend him.

For it can never be that war shall preserve life, and peace destroy it.

Competition of praise inclineth to a reverence of antiquity. For men contend with the living, not with the dead.

Ambition, and Covetousnesse are Passions that are perpetually incumbent, and pressing.