Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.

It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it.

Fortunate people often have very favorable beginnings and very tragic endings. What matters isn't being applauded when you arrive - for that is common - but being missed when you leave.

Many people who pretend to be very busy have the least to do.

There is none who cannot teach somebody something, and there is none so excellent but he is excelled.

Most do violence to their natural aptitude, and thus attain superiority in nothing.

There are friendships merely for pleasure, some for the exchange of ideas. Rarest are those friends of one's inmost self.