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

To oblige people often costs little and helps much.

Don't take the wrong side of an argument just because your opponent has taken the right side.

A gilded No is more satisfactory than a dry Yes.

Work is the price which is paid for reputation.

A person of your century: Great persons are of their time. Not all were born into a period worthy of them, and many so born failed to benefit by it. Some merited a better century, for all that is good does not always triumph. Fashions have their periods and even the greatest virtues, their styles. But the philosopher, being ageless, has one advantage: Should this not prove the right century, many to follow will.

Few are the friends of a mans self, most those of his circumstances.