We cannot conquer fate and necessity, yet we can yield to them in such a manner as to be greater than if we could.

Something of the severe hath always been appertaining to order and to grace; and the beauty that is not too liberal is sought the most ardently, and loved the longest.

Absurdities are great or small in proportion to custom or insuetude.

Let me take up your metaphor. Friendship is a vase, which, when it is flawed by heat or violence or accident, may as well be broken at once; it can never be trusted after. The more graceful and ornamental it was, the more clearly do we discern the hopelessness of restoring it to its former state. Coarse stones, if they are fractured, may be cemented again; precious stones, never.

Cruelty is the highest pleasure to the cruel man; it is his love.

Falsehood is for a season.

O what a thing is age! Death without death's quiet.