There is no desert like being friendless.

The sage never seems to know his own merits, for only by not noticing them can you call others' attention to them.

To keep is more important than to make friends.

When a man's knowledge is deep, he speaks well of an enemy. Instead of seeking revenge, he extends unexpected generosity. He turns insult into humor, ... and astonishes his adversary who finds no reason not to trust him.

Never lose your self-respect, nor be too familiar with yourself when you are alone. Let your integrity itself be your own standard of rectitude, and be more indebted to the severity of your own judgment of yourself than to all external percepts. Desist from unseemly conduct, rather out of respect for your own virtue than for the strictures of external authority.

If to talk to oneself when alone is folly, it must be doubly unwise to listen to oneself in the presence of others.

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