Human infirmity in moderating and checking the emotions I name bondage : for, when a man is a prey to his emotions, he is not his own master, but lies at the mercy of fortune : so much so, that he is often compelled, while seeing that which is better for him, to follow that which is worse.

The things which ... are esteemed as the greatest good of all ... can be reduced to these three headings, to wit : Riches, Fame, and Pleasure. With these three the mind is so engrossed that it cannot scarcely think of any other good.

Reason connot defeat emotion, an emotion can only be displaced or overcome by a stronger emotion.

We can always get along better by reason and love of truth than by worry of conscience and remorse...we should strive to keep worry from our life.

Everything excellent is as difficult as it is rare.

self-preservation is the primary and only foundation of virtue.

Nothing in nature is by chance... Something appears to be chance only because of our lack of knowledge.