Minds ripen at very different ages.

If the painter has clumsy hands, he will be apt to introduce them into his works, and so of any other part of his person, which may not happen to be so beautiful as it ought to be. He must, therefore, guard particularly against that self-love, or too good opinion of his own person, and study by every means to acquire the knowledge of what is most beautiful, and of his own defects, that he may adopt the one and avoid the other.

Usually youth is for freedom and reform, maturity for judicious compromise, and old age for stability and repose.

Knowledge inspires courage. I'm not sceptical but I'd sooner know than believe.

I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and dominion.

The acquisition of knowledge is always of use to the intellect, because it may thus drive out useless things and retain the good. For nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first known.