Discern of the coming on of years, and think not to do the same things still; for age will not be defied.
Beauty is as summer fruits, which are easy to corrupt, and cannot last; and for the most part it makes a dissolute youth, and an age a little out of countenance; but yet certainly again, if it light well, it maketh virtue shine, and vices blush.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
Solomon saith, ‘He that considereth the wind, shall not sow, and he that looketh to the clouds, shall not reap.’ A wise man will make more opportunities, than he finds.
But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself.
All rising to a great place is by a winding stair.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.
He that seeketh victory over his nature, let him not set himself too great, nor too small tasks; for the first will make him dejected by often failings; and the second will make him a small proceeder, though often by prevailings.
For friendship maketh indeed a fair day in the affections, from storm and tempests; but it maketh daylight in the understanding, out of darkness and confusion of thoughts.
Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.
Wives are young men’s mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men’s nurses.
Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished.
Knowledge is power.
Love and envy make a man pine, which other affections do not, because they are not so continual.
Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand – and melting like a snowflake...
Money is a great servant but a bad master.
The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.
If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.
God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.
A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.