We rise to great heights by a winding staircase of small steps.
Discretion in speech is more than eloquence.
Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.
There are two books laid before us to study, to prevent our falling into error; first, the volume of the Scriptures, which reveal the will of God; then the volume of the Creatures, which express His power.
All colours will agree in the dark.
The images of mens wits and knowledge remain in books. They generate still, and cast their seeds in the minds of others, provoking and causing infinite actions and opinions in succeeding ages.
I’ll follow, as they say, for reward. He that rewards me, God reward him. If I do grow great, I’ll grow less; for I’ll purge, and leave sack, and live cleanly, as a nobleman should do.
Custom is the principle magistrate of man’s life.
Croesus said to Cambyses; That peace was better than war; because in peace the sons did bury their fathers, but in wars the fathers did bury their sons.
Our humanity is a poor thing, except for the divinity that stirs within us.
There is a cunning which we in England call the rning of the cat in the pan.
Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution.
Important families are like potatoes. The best parts are underground.
Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.
You cannot teach a child to take care of himself unless you will let him try to take care of himself. He will make mistakes and out of these mistakes will come his wisdom.
The French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are.
The greatest trust between man and man is the trust of giving counsel.
It was well said that envy keeps no holidays.
Ask counsel of both timesof the ancient time what is best, and of the latter time what is fittest.
To be free minded and cheerfully disposed at hours of meat and sleep and of exercise is one of the best precepts of long lasting.