Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.

Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever.

Few things are needful to make the wise man happy, but nothing satisfies the fool; - and this is the reason why so many of mankind are miserable.

Extreme boredom provides its own antidote.

In growing old, we become more foolish - and more wise.

People's personalities, like buildings, have various facades, some pleasant to view, some not.

There is merit without rank, but there is no rank without some merit.