Love shows itself more in adversity than in prosperity; as light does, which shines most where the place is darkest.

A deaf and dumb person who sees two men in conversation - may nevertheless understand from the attitudes and gestures of the speakers, how well their discussion is getting along.

Of the four elements water is the second in weight and the second in respect of mobility. It is never at rest until it unites with the sea.

Therefore, O students, study mathematics and do not build without foundations.

Nothing is more apt to deceive us than our own judgment of our work. We derive more benefit from having our faults pointed out by our enemies than from hearing the opinions of friends.

It reflects no great honor on a painter to be able to execute only one thing well -- such as a head, an academy figure, or draperies, animals, landscapes, or the like -- in other words, confining himself to some particular object of study. This is so because there is scarcely a person so devoid of genius as to fail of success if he applies himself earnestly to one branch of study and practices it continually.

A clever man without wisdom is like a beautiful flower without fragrance.