No living being is held by anything so strongly as by its own needs. Whatever therefore appears a hindrance to these, be it brother, or father, or child, or mistress, or friend, is hated, abhorred, execrated.

Exceed due measure, and the most delightful things become the least delightful.

The materials are indifferent, but the use we make of them is not a matter of indifference.

Books are the training weights of the mind.

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

It is not things in themselves which trouble us, but our opinions of things.

Each man's life is a kind of campaign, and a long and complicated one at that. You have to maintain the character of a soldier, and do each separate act at the bidding of the General.