It is a difficult matter to argue with the belly since it has no ears.

Woman is a violent and uncontrolled animal, and it is useless to let go the reins and then expect her not to kick over the traces. You must keep her on a tight rein . . . Women want total freedom or rather - to call things by their names - total licence. If you allow them to achieve complete equality with men, do you think they will be easier to live with? Not at all. Once they have achieved equality, they will be your masters . . .

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.

Buy not what you want, but what you have need of; what you do not want is dear at a farthing.

Suffer women once to arrive at an equality with you, and they will from that moment become your superiors.

Patience is the greatest of all virtues.

Farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work.