Never undertake anything unless you have the heart to ask Heaven's blessing on your undertaking.

Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself.

We say that someone occupies an official position, whereas it is the official position that occupies him.

God created man in His own image, says the Bible; philosophers reverse the process: they create God in theirs.

He who is enamored of himself will at least have the advantage of being inconvenienced by few rivals.

If all mankind were suddenly to practice honesty, many thousands of people would be sure to starve.

Ambition and suspicion always go together.