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It is a sign of contraction of the mind when it is content, or of weariness. A spirited mind never stops within itself; it is always aspiring and goin...more

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We can be knowledgeable with another man's knowledge, but we can't be wise with another man's wisdom.

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It is the mind that maketh good or ill, That maketh wretch or happy, rich or poor.

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Though the ancient poet in Plutarch tells us we must not trouble the gods with our affairs because they take no heed of our angers and disputes, we ca...more

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Age imprints more wrinkles in the mind than it does on the face.

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I have never seen a greater monster or miracle in the world than myself.

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There is no pleasure to me without communication: there is not so much as a sprightly thought comes into my mind that it does not grieve me to have pr...more

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Did I know myself less, I might perhaps venture to handle something or other to the bottom, and to be deceived in my own inability; but sprinkling her...more

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...were these Essays of mine considerable enough to deserve a critical judgment, it might then, I think, fallout that they would not much take with co...more

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Every other knowledge is harmful to him who does not have knowledge of goodness.

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I am afraid that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and that we have more curiosity than understanding. We grasp at everything, but catch nothing ...more

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Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

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Judgement can do without knowledge: but not knowledge without judgement.

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Demetrius the grammarian finding in the temple of Delphos a knot of philosophers set chatting together, said to them, “Either I am much deceived,or by...more

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The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.