All is a-swarm with commentaries: of authors there is a dearth.

Let what I here set down meet with correction or applause, it shall be of equal welcome and utility to me [...]And yet, always submitting to the authority of theircensure, which has an absolute power over me, I thus rashly venture at everything.

Livet består av en del galskap, og en del visdom; den som bare skriver ærbødig og konvensjonelt, utelater mer enn halvparten.

Mon métier et mon art c’est vivre. [My craft and my skill is living.]

The only good histories are those that have been written by the persons themselves who commanded in the affairs whereof they write.

It is not my deeds that I write down, it is myself, my essence.

It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one.

The vulgar and common esteem is seldom happy in hitting right; and I am much mistaken if, amongst the writings of my time, the worst are not those which have most gained the popular applause.

We have more poets than judges and interpreters of poetry. It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one. There is, indeed, a certain low and moderate sort of poetry, that a man may well enough judge by certain rules of art; but the true, supreme, and divine poesy is equally above all rules and reason. And whoever discerns the beauty of it with the most assured and most steady sight sees no more than the quick reflection of a flash of lightning.