Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them: But they are the money of fools, that value them by the authority of an Aristotle, a Cicero, or a Thomas, or any other doctor whatsoever, if but a man

Words are the money of fools.

Now I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.

A wise man should so write (though in words understood by all men) that wise men only should be able to commend him.

One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work. But... I continue to find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.

The words that are being spoken are serious, whether you take them at face value or listen to them at all, ... I'm not a preacher, I'm a singer. I can sing about serious things, but I don't think I have to put on a pious face to do it.