The first forty years of our life give the text, the next thirty furnish the commentary upon it, which enables us rightly to understand the true meaning and connection of the text with its moral and its beauties.

Man may have the most excellent judgment in all other matters, and yet go wrong in those which concern himself; because here the will comes in and deranges the intellect at once. Therefore let a man take counsel of a friend. A doctor can cure everyone but himself; if he falls ill, he sends for a colleague.

Apart from man, no being wonders at its own experience.

Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame.

All wanting comes from need, therefore from lack, therefore from suffering.

What a man is contributes much more to his happiness than what he has or how he is regarded by others.

Life is short and truth works far and lives long: let us speak the truth.