Voltaire [Francois Marie Arouet], 1694 - 1778

We must cultivate our garden.
(Il faut cultiver notre jardin.)

Voltaire, Candide [1759]

Edmond Hoyle, 1672 - 1769

When in doubt, win the trick.

Edmond Hoyle, Twenty-four Rules for Learners, rule 12

Matsuo Basho, 1644 - 1694

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.

Matsuo Basho, The Rustic Gate, From the collection Basho Bunshu.

Sir Isaac Newton, 1642 - 1727

O Diamond! Diamond! thou little knowest the mischief done!

Sir Isaac Newton, Said to a pet dog who knocked over a candle and set fire to his papers.

Louis XIV, 1638 - 1715

I almost had to wait.

Louis XIV, Attributed remark when a coach he had ordered arrived just in time.

Louis XIV, 1638 - 1715

L'etat c'est moi.
(I am the state.)

Louis XIV, Attributed remark before the parliament in 1651.

Thomas Traherne, c. 1637 - 1674

You never enjoy the world alright, till the sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars: and perceive yourself to be the sole heir of the whole world.

Thomas Traherne, Centuries of Meditations [1908], Century I, sec. 29

Robert South, 1634 - 1716

Speech was given to the ordinary sort of men whereby to communicate their mind; but to wise men, whereby to conceal it.

Robert South, Sermon [1676]

Benedict [Baruch] Spinoza, 1632 - 1677

Will and Intellect are one and the same thing.

Baruch Spinoza, Ethics [1677], pt. 1, proposition 49: corollary.

John Locke, 1632 - 1704

Good and evil, reward and punishment, are the only motives to a rational creature: these are the spur and reins whereby all mankind are set on work, and guided.

John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning Education [1693], sec. I, 54.

John Dryden, 1631 - 1700

Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own;
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have lived today.

John Dryden, Imitation of Horace, bk. III, ode 29 [1685], l. 65.

William Walker, 1623 - 1684

Learn to read slow: all other graces
Will follow in their proper places.

William Walker, The Art of Reading.

Blaise Pascal, 1623 - 1662

Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would have been changed.

Blaise Pascal, Pensees [1670], no. 162.

Moliere [ Jean Baptiste Poquelin], 1622 - 1673

Grammar, which knows how to control even kings.
Moliere, Les Femmes Savantes [1672], act II, sc. vi

Jeremy Taylor, 1613 - 1667

Every schoolboy knows it.

Jeremy Taylor, On the Real Presence, V.

Sir John Suckling, 1609 - 1642

But as when an authentic watch is shown,
Each man winds up and rectifies his own,
So in our very judgments.

Sir John Suckling, Aglaura [1638], epilogue.

John Milton, 1608 - 1674

Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind.

John Milton, Comus [1634], l. 663

John Milton, 1608 - 1674

What hath night to do with sleep?

John Milton, Comus [1634], l. 122