Politeness is the chief sign of culture.
Sometimes it proves the highest understanding not to understand.
There is no need to show your ability before everyone.
To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which you have even if you have nothing else.
Nature scarcely ever gives us the very best; for that we must have recourse to art.
The sage never seems to know his own merits, for only by not noticing them can you call others' attention to them.