[ “Last words” :] Death, is a leap into the dark.

Religion ; which by reason of the different fancies, judgments, and passions of several men, hath grown up into ceremonies so different, that those which are used by one man, are for the most part ridiculous to another.

The power of a man, to take it universally, is his present means, to obtain some future apparent good; and is either original or instrumental. . . . Reputation of power, is power.

True and False are attributes of speech, not of things. And where speech is not, there is neither Truth nor Falsehood.

Such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty, or more eloquent, or more learned, yet they will hardly believe there be many so wise as themselves.

The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, profane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame or blame.

Prudence is but experience, which equal time equally bestows on all men, in those things they equally apply themselves unto.

The passions that incline men to peace are fear of death, desire of such things as are necessary to commodious living, and a hope by their industry to obtain them.

Sudden glory is the passion which maketh those grimaces called laughter.

The praise of ancient authors proceeds not from the reverence of the dead, but from the competition and mutual envy of the living.