“A god cannot procure death for himself, even if he wished it, which, so numerous are the evils of life, has been granted to man as our chief good.”

It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth.

Envy always implies conscious inferiority wherever it resides.

Man is the only one that knows nothing, that can learn nothing without being taught. He can neither speak nor walk nor eat, and in short he can do nothing at the prompting of nature only, but weep.

There is always something new out of Africa.

Nothing is more useful than wine for strengthening the body and also more detrimental to our pleasure if moderation be lacking.

We live by reposing trust in each other.

Most men are afraid of a bad name, but few fear their consciences.

In wine, there’s truth.

No one is wise at all times.

As touching peaches in general, the very name in Latine whereby they are called Persica, doth evidently show that they were brought out of Persia first.

Let not things, because they are common, enjoy for that the less share of our consideration.

Accustom yourself to master and overcome things of difficulty; for if you observe, the left hand for want of practice is insignificant, and not adapted to general business; yet it holds the bridle better than the right, from constant use.

To laugh, if but for an instant only, has never been granted to man before the fortieth day from his birth, and then it is looked upon as a miracle of precocity.

Grief has limits, whereas apprehension has none. For we grieve only for what we know has happened, but we fear all that possibly may happen.

Why do we believe that in all matters the odd numbers are more powerful?

The agricultural population produces the bravest men, the most valiant soldiers,46 and a class of citizens the least given of all to evil designs.