To say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards men.
This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge keeps his wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.
For no man can forbid the spark nor tell whence it may come.
The joys of parents are secret, and so are their grieves and fears.
Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more a man’s nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out.
He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.
Small amounts of philosophy lead to atheism, but larger amounts bring us back to God.
The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.
God never wrought miracle to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it. It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.
I wonder why it is that the countries with the most nobles also have the most misery?
It’s all so meaningless, we may as well be extraordinary.
Worthy books are not companions – they are solitudes: we lose ourselves in them and all our cares.
Truth will sooner come out from error than from confusion.
For the things of this world cannot be made known without a knowledge of mathematics.
Where a man cannot fitly play his own part; if he have not a friend, he may quit the stage.
Look upon good books; they are true friends, that will neither flatter nor dissemble: be you but true to yourself... and you shall need no other comfort nor counsel.
For the mind of man is far from the nature of a clear and equal glass, wherein the beams of things should reflect according to their true incidence; nay, it is rather like an enchanted glass, full of superstition and imposture, if it be not delivered and reduced.
The punishing of wits enhances their authority.
Men in great place are thrice servants, servants to the sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of business, so as they have freedom, neither in their persons, nor in their actions, nor in their times.
Mixture of lie doeth ever add pleasure.