For my own part, I may desire in general to be other than I am; I may condemn and dislike my whole form, and beg of Almighty God for an entire reformation, and that He will please to pardon my natural infirmity: but I ought not to call this repentance, methinks, no more than the being dissatisfied that I am not an angel or Cato. My actions are regular, and conformable to what I am and to my condition; I can do no better; and repentance does not properly touch things that are not in our power; sorrow does.. I imagine an infinite number of natures more elevated and regular than mine; and yet I do not for all that improve my faculties, no more than my arm or will grow more strong and vigorous for conceiving those of another to be so.

Every man bears the whole stamp of the human condition.

Few men have been admired by their own households.

I speak the truth, not my fill of it, but as much as I dare speak; and I dare to do so a little more as I grow old.

I will follow the good side right to the fire, but not into it if I can help it.

There were never in the world two opinions alike, any more than two hairs or two grains. Their most universal quality is diversity.

Physicians have this advantage: the sun lights their success and the earth covers their failures.

As far as physicians go, chance is more valuable than knowledge.

Saying is one thing and doing is another.

I find that the best goodness I have has some tincture of vice.