Throughout the centuries, man has considered himself beautiful. I rather suppose that man only believes in his own beauty out read more

Throughout the centuries, man has considered himself beautiful. I rather suppose that man only believes in his own beauty out of pride; that he is not really beautiful and he suspects this himself; for why does he look on the face of his fellow-man with such scorn?

If there is a single quality that is shared by all great men, it is vanity. But I mean by read more

If there is a single quality that is shared by all great men, it is vanity. But I mean by "vanity" only that they appreciate their own worth. Without this kind of vanity they would not be great. And with vanity alone, of course, a man is nothing.

We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain read more

We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances.

Not all that tempts your wandering eyes
And heedless hearts is lawful prize,
Not all that glisters read more

Not all that tempts your wandering eyes
And heedless hearts is lawful prize,
Not all that glisters gold.

Political language. . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of read more

Political language. . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.

Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved.

Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved.

He was one of a lean body and visage, as if his eager soul,
biting for anger at the read more

He was one of a lean body and visage, as if his eager soul,
biting for anger at the clog of his body, desired to fret a
passage through it.

Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just, if your style is homely, coarse, and read more

Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just, if your style is homely, coarse, and vulgar, they will appear to as much disadvantage, and be as ill received, as your person, though ever so well-proportioned, would if dressed in rags, dirt, and tatters.

Even knowledge has to be in the fashion, and where it is not, it is wise to affect ignorance. - read more

Even knowledge has to be in the fashion, and where it is not, it is wise to affect ignorance. - The Art of Worldy Wisdom, 1647.