For there are very few so foolish who would not rather govern themselves than be governed by others.

The praise of ancient authors proceeds not from the reverence of the dead, but from the competition and mutual envy of the living.

The science which teacheth arts and handicrafts is merely science for the gaining of a living; but the science which teacheth deliverance from worldly existence, is not that the true science?

Understanding is nothing else than conception caused by speech.

There is more in Mersenne than in all the universities together.

It is fairer to tax people on what they extract from the economy, as roughly measured by their consumption, than to tax them on what they produce for the economy, as roughly measured by their income.

For there are very few so foolish who would not rather govern themselves than be governed by others.