Don't express your ideas too clearly. Most people think little of what they understand, and venerate what they do not.

One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.

Excellence resides in quality, not in quantity. The best is always few and rare; much lowers value.

One who was abhorred by all in prosperity is adored by all in adversity.

Help others solve their problems; standing farther away, you can often see matters more clearly than they do. . . The greatest service you can render someone else is helping him or her help themselves.

Man is born a barbarian, and only raises himself above the beast by culture.

Hope is a great falsifier. Let good judgment keep her in check.