A farmer who had a quarrelsome family called his sons and told them to lay a bunch of sticks before him. Then, after laying the sticks parallel to one another and binding them, he challenged his sons, one after one, to pick up the bundle and break it. They all tried, but in vain. Then, untying the bundle, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then said the father, "Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for anything, but differ and separate, and you are undone".

If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.

A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him.

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

It is foolish to try to imitate the skills of others.

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

One who steals has no right to complain if he is robbed.