Man is an embodied paradox, a bundle of contradictions.

For one man who sincerely pities our misfortunes, there are a thousand who sincerely hate our success.

Some men who know that they are great are so very haughty withal and insufferable that their acquaintance discover their greatness only by the tax of humility which they are obliged to pay as the price of their friendship.

No propagation or multiplication is more rapid that that of evil, unless it be checked; no growth more certain.

The policy that can strike only while the iron is hot will be overcome by that perseverance, which ... can make that iron hot by striking and he that can only rule the storm must yield to him who can both raise and rule it.

It is easier to pretend to be what you are not than to hide what you really are; but he that can accomplish both has little to learn in hypocrisy.

True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little for Alexander.