All men are idolators, some of fame, others of self-interest, most of pleasure.

It is better to have too much courtesy than too little, provided you are not equally courteous to all, for that would be injustice.

The wise have a solid sense of silence and the ability to keep a storehouse of secrets. Their capacity and character are respected.

Don't show off every day, or you'll stop surprising people. There must always be some novelty left over. The person who displays a little more of it each day keeps up expectations, and no one ever discovers the limits of his talent.

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.

Never risk your reputation on a single shot, for if you miss the loss is irreparable.

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