A leaf that is destined to grow large is full of grooves and wrinkles at the start. Now if one has no patience and wants it smooth offhand like a willow leaf, there is trouble ahead.

Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues.

Old age is never honored among us, but only indulged, as childhood is; and old men lose one of the most precious rights of man,--that of being judged by their peers.

And step by step, along the path of life, There's nothing true but Heaven.

The human race is a monotonous affair. Most people spend the greatest part of their time working in order to live, and what little freedom remains so fills them with fear that they seek out any and every means to be rid of it.

A plant is like a self-willed man, out of whom we can obtain all which we desire, if we will only treat him his own way.

Self knowledge is best learned not by contemplation, but by action.