There is no man so great as not to have some littleness more predominant than all his greatness. Our virtues are the dupes, and often only the plaything of our follies.

Strive, while improving your one talent, to enrich your whole capital as a man. It is in this way that you escape from the wretched narrow-mindedness which is the characteristic of every one who cultivates his specialty alone.

Fate! There is no fate. Between the thought and the success God is the only agent. Fate is not the ruler, but the servant of Providence.

As the excitement of the game increases, prudence is sure to diminish.

Better than fame is still the wish for fame, the constant training for a glorious strife.

Poets alone are sure of immortality; they are the truest diviners of nature.

Punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business, and the graceful courtesy of princes.