Nature to be commanded must be obeyed.
~ in Novum Organum
A bad man is worse when he pretends to be a saint.
A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.
All rising to a great place is by a winding stair.
Are not the pleasures of the affections greater than the pleasures of the senses, and are not the pleasures of the intellect greater than the pleasures of the affections.
But yet he was reputed one of the wise men, that made answer to the question when a man should marry? A young man not yet, an older man not at all.
Certainly, in taking revenge a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince’s part to pardon.
He that gives good advice builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example builds with both.
If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot properly be said to possess wealth, as that it may be said to possess him.
It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s mind about to religion.
Men of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business home to the full period but content themselves with a mediocrity of success.
Silence is the virtue of fools.
Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.
This is certain, that man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.
To seek to extinguish Anger is but a bravery of the Stoics. We have better oracles: Be angry, but sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger.
We take cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom.
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