They make the greatest show of what they have done, who have done least.

You can cultivate taste, as you can the intellect. Full understanding whets the appetite and desire, and, later, sharpens the enjoyment of possession.

Nature scarcely ever gives us the very best; for that we must have recourse to art.

You should aim to be independent of any one vote, of any one fashion, of any one century.

The sage has one advantage: he is immortal. If this is not his century, many others will be.

Make your friends your teachers and mingle the pleasures of conversation with the advantages of instruction.

There is no desert like being friendless.