Francis Bacon

A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.

Judges ought to be more learned than witty, more reverent than plausible, and more advised than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue.

Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.

Opportunity makes a thief.

Nothing is pleasant that is not spiced with variety.

Ask counsel of both timesof the ancient time what is best, and of the latter time what is fittest.

Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity.

I showed my appreciation of my native land in the usual Irish way: by getting out of it as soon as I possibly could.

It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.

He is no wise man who will quit a certainty for an uncertainty.

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.

All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.

Many might go to Heaven with half the labor they go to hell.

When the eagles are silent the parrots begin to jabber.

Every person is a God in embryo. Its only desire is to be born.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.

Hell is full of musical amateurs: music is the brandy of the damned.

The first wealth is health.

If I seem to boast more than is becoming, my excuse is that I brag for humanity rather than for myself.

Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.