They wonder much to hear that gold, which in itself is so useless a thing, should be everywhere so much esteemed, that even men for whom it was made, and by whom it has its value, should yet be thought of less value than it is.

If we lived in a state where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us saintly. But since we see that avarice, anger, pride and stupidity commonly profit far beyond charity, modesty, justice and thought, perhaps we must stand fast a little, even at the risk of being heroes.

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake.

What part soever you take upon you, play that as well as you can and make the best of it.

The most part of all princes have more delight in warlike manners and feats of chivalry than in the good feats of peace.

In Utopia, where every man has a right to everything, they all know that if care is taken to keep the public stores full, no private man can want anything; for among them there is no unequal distribution, so that no man is poor, none in necessity; and though no man has anything, yet they are all rich; for what can make a man so rich as to lead a serene and cheerful life, free from anxieties.

. . . the state of things and the dispositions of men were then such, that a man could not well tell whom he might trust or whom he might fear.