Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.

To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which you have even if you have nothing else.

Cultivate those who can teach you.

There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious time-and it is worse to busy yourself with the trivial than to do nothing.

Watchfulness is the only guard against cunning. Be intent on his intentions. Many succeed in making others do their own affairs, and unless you possess the key to their motives you may at any moment be forced to take their chestnuts out of the fire to the damage of your own fingers.

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.

The happy are an exception who enjoy innocently their simple happiness.