The fewer blows, the better. Brave men fight if they must; wise men never fight if they can help it.

The circle of life is cut up into segments. All lines are equal if they are drawn from the centre and touch the circumference.

There are two lives to each of us, the life of our actions, and the life of our minds and hearts. History reveals men's deeds and their outward characters, but not themselves. There is a secret self that has its own life, unpenetrated and unguessed.

Power is so characteristically calm, that calmness in itself has the aspect of strength.

One vice worn out makes us wiser than fifty tutors.

The curse of the great is ennui.

Sooner mayest thou trust thy pocket to a pickpocket than give loyal friendship to the man who boasts of eyes to the heart never mounts in dew! Only when man weeps he should be alone, not because tears are weak, but they should be secret. Tears are akin to prayer,--Pharisees parade prayers, imposters parade tears.