Many able Gardeners and Husbandmen are yet Ignorant of the Reason of their Calling; as most Artificers are of the Reason of their own Rules that govern their excellent Workmanship. But a Naturalist and Mechanick of this sort is Master of the Reason of both, and might be of the Practice too, if his Industry kept pace with his Speculation; which were every commendable; and without which he cannot be said to be a complete Naturalist or Mechanick.

It is not only a troublesome but slavish to be nice [fastidious].

Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.

Sense shines with double lustre when set in humility.

I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do ... let me do it now.

There is a truth and beauty in rhetoric; but it oftener serves ill turns than good ones.

Death then, being the way and condition of life, we cannot love to live if we cannot bear to die.