Brave is the lion tamer, brave is the world subduer, but braver is the one who has subdued himself.

Man is a central creature between the animals, that is to say, the most perfect form, which unites the traits of all in the most complete epitome.

Each nationality contains its centre of happiness within itself, as a bullet the centre of gravity.

Those that embrace the entire universe with love, for the most part love nothing, but their narrow selves.

The friend who holds up before me the mirror, conceals not my smallest faults, warns me kindly, reproves me affectionately, when I have not performed my duty, he is my friend, however little he may appear so. But if a man praises and lauds me, never reproves me, overlooks my faults, and forgives them before I have repented, he is my enemy, however much he may appear my friend.

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks.

Touch not the flute when drums are sounding around; when fools have the word, the wise will be silent.