Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.

You will find that reason, which always ought to direct mankind, seldom does; but that passions and weaknesses commonly usurp itsseat, and rule in its stead.

Men are much more unwilling to have their weaknesses and their imperfections known than their crimes.

Observe any meetings of people, and you will always find their eagerness and impetuosity rise or fall in proportion to their numbers.

At any age we must cherish illusions, consolatory or merely pleasant; in youth, they are omnipresent; in old age we must search for them, or even invent them. But with all that, boredom is their natural and inevitable accompaniment.

The heart never grows better by age; I fear rather worse; always harder.

Choose the company of your superiors whenever you can have it.