Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

To prefer it is better than to only know it. To delight in it is better than merely to prefer it.

Let every man consider virtue as what devolves on himself. He may not yield the performance of it even to his teacher.

See a person's means ... Observe his motives. Examine that in which he rests. How can a person conceal his character?

When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search yourself for his faults.

The more people know, the more they forgive.

If I were travelling with two partners, one virtuous and one dishonest, both would be useful as teachers. I would perceive what's good of the first one and I would imitate him whereas I would try to correct in me the defects I may see in the second one.