The fears of old age disturb us, yet how few attain it?

There are only two ways by which to rise in this world, either by one's own industry or by the stupidity of others.

There is not in the world so toilsome a trade as the pursuit of fame; life concludes before you have so much as sketched your work.

He who can wait for what he desires takes the course not to be exceedingly grieved if he fails of it; he, on the contrary, who labors after a thing too impatiently thinks the success when it comes is not a recompense equal to all the pains he has been at about it.

The spendthrift robs his heirs the miser robs himself.

There are few wives so perfect as not to give their husbands at least once a day good reason to repent of ever having married, or at least of envying those who are unmarried.

We are valued in this world at the rate we desire to be valued.