Mastery has been achieved when one neither makes a mistake nor hesitates in the performance.

The unlucky hand dealt to clear and precise writers is that people assume they are superficial and so do not go to any trouble inreading them: and the lucky hand dealt to unclear ones is that the reader does go to some trouble and then attributes the pleasure he experiences in his own zeal to them.

There is in general good reason to suppose that in several respects the gods could all benefit from instruction by us human beings. We humans are - more humane.

I love him who maketh his virtue his inclination and destiny: thus, for the sake of his virtue, he is willing to live on, or live no more.

Behind all their personal vanity, women themselves always have an impersonal contempt for woman.

the voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls

One should not wish to enjoy where one does not give joy.