The Conceit of Ignorance

If a man is to pursue Philosophy, his first task is to throw away conceit. For it is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he has a conceit that he already knows.

-Epictetus

Royalty

Royalty is a good burial shroud.

-Procopius

Virtue

Virtue is never tried but by some difficulty and some struggle.

-Edmund Burke

Splendid in Ashes

Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave, solemnizing nativities and deaths with equal lustre, nor omitting ceremonies of bravery in the infamy of his nature.

-Sir Thomas Browne

Arbitrary Power

Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.

-George Washington

Political Penalty

One of the penalties of not participating in politics is that you will be governed by your inferiors.

-Plato

The Parson's Preaching

In preaching, they do by men as writers of romances do by their chief knights, bring them into many dangers, but still fetch them off; so they put men in fear of Hell, but at last bring them to Heaven.

- John Seldon