Caprice in women often infringes upon the rules of decency.

Outward simplicity befits ordinary men, like a garment made to measure for them; but it serves as an adornment to those who have filled their lives with great deeds: they might be compared to some beauty carelessly dressed and thereby all the more attractive.

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.

Praise, of all things, is the most powerful excitement to commendable actions, and animates us in our enterprises.

It is often easier as well as more advantageous to conform to other men's opinions than to bring them over to ours.

The punishment of a criminal is an example to the rabble; but every decent man is concerned if an innocent person is condemned.

A simple garb is the proper costume of the vulgar; it is cut for them, and exactly suits their measure, but it is an ornament for those who have filled up their lives with great deeds. I liken them to beauty in dishabille, but more bewitching on that account.