He ought to have taken leave of all sorts of labour, what advantage soever it may promise, and generally to have shaken off all those passions which disturb the tranquillity of body and soul, and then choose the way that best suits with his own humour: "Unusquisque sua noverit ire via." In husbandry, study, hunting, and all other exercises, men are to proceed to the utmost limits of pleasure, but must take heed of engaging further, where trouble begins to mix with it.

We are to reserve so much employment only as is necessary to keep us in breath and to defend us from the inconveniences that the other extreme of a dull and stupid laziness brings along with it.

There are sterile knotty sciences, chiefly hammered out for the crowd; let such be left to them who are engaged in the world's service.

I for my part care for no other books, but either such as are pleasant and easy, to amuse me, or those that comfort and instruct me how to regulate my life and death: "Tacitum sylvas inter reptare salubres, Curantem, quidquid dignum sapienti bonoque est." ["Silently meditating in the healthy groves, whatever is worthy of a wise and good man."-- Horace, Ep., i.

4, 4.] Wiser men, having great force and vigour of soul, may propose to themselves a rest wholly spiritual but for me, who have a very ordinary soul, it is very necessary to support myself with bodily conveniences; and age having of late deprived me of those pleasures that were more acceptable to me, I instruct and whet my appetite to those that remain, more suitable to this other reason.