Man's highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circumstances and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them.

One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones of characters and of the most decisive value to man.

Create, artist, do not talk.

Well-mannered children could be conceived if the parents were well-mannered.

Nobody, they say, is a hero to his valet. Of course; for a man must be a hero to understand a hero. The valet, I dare say, has great respect for some person of his own stamp.

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract; And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.

Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.