Nor can they understand why a totally useless substance like gold should now, all over the world, be considered far more important than human beings, who gave it such value as it has, purely for their own convenience.

See me safe up: for in my coming down, I can shift for myself.

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.

It is naturally given to all men to esteem their own inventions best.

I should only ever tell the king what he ought to do, not what he could do. For if the lion knows his own strength, no man could control him.

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

The things we pray for, good Lord, give us grace to labor for.