Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed.

Keep the extent of your abilities unknown.The wise man does not allow his knowledge and abilities to be sounded to the bottom, if he desires to be honored at all. He allows you to know them but not to comprehend them. No one must know the extent of his abilities, lest he be disappointed. No one ever has an opportunity of fathoming him entirely. For guesses and doubts about the extent of his talents arouse more veneration than accurate knowledge of them, be they ever so great.

Words are feminine; deeds are masculine.

Advice is sometimes transmitted more successfully through a joke than grave teaching.

Many would be wise if they did not think themselves wise.

Sometimes it proves the highest understanding not to understand.

We live by information, not by sight.