Look at a man the way he is and he only becomes worse, but look at him as if he were what he could be, then he becomes what he should be.

Chess is the touchstone of intellect.

It is one of Heaven's best gifts to hold such a dear creature in one's arms.

To measure up to all that is demanded of him, a man must overestimate his capacities

People are always talking about originality; but what do they mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work upon us; and this goes on to the end. And after all, what can we call our own, except energy, strength, and will? If I could give an account of all that I owe to great predecessors and contemporaries, there would be but a small balance in my favor.

The hero draws inspiration from the virtue of his ancestors.

The old lose one of the greatest privileges of man, for they are no longer judged by their contemporaries.