Francis Bacon

Prosperity discovers vice, adversity discovers virtue.

Wives are young men’s mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men’s nurses.

A healthy body is a guest chamber for the soul: a sick body is a prison.

In every great time there is some one idea at work which is more powerful than any other, and which shapes the events of the time and determines their ultimate issues.

Cure the disease and kill the patient.

God almighty first planted a garden: and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasure.

Nothing is so exhilarating in life as to be shot at with no result.

We must not inquire too curiously into motives… They are apt to become feeble in the utterance: the aroma is mixed with the grosser air. We must keep the germinating grain away from the light.

We must set up a strong present tense against all rumors of wrath, past and to come.

Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable, and others extremely difficult.

Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.

Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.

Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well.

He was dull in a new way, and that made many think him great.

Behave so the aroma of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere.

They that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils.

Fidelity is the sister of justice.

He that pursues fame with just claims, trusts his happiness to the winds; but he that endeavors after it by false merit, has to fear, not only the violence of the storm, but the leaks of his vessel.

The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees is the high road that leads him to England.

Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of congress; but I repeat myself.

If you value a man’s regard, strive with him. As to liking, you like your newspaper – and despise it.