Study the heart and the mind of man, and begin with your own. Meditation and reflection must lay the foundation of that knowledge, but experience and practice must, and alone can, complete it.

Nothing is more dissimilar than natural and acquired politeness. The first consists in a willing abnegation of self; the second in a compelled recollection of others.

A novel must be exceptionally good to live as long as the average cat.

An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions.

Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him.

No man can possibly improve in any company for which he has not respect enough to be under some degree of restraint.

Study the heart and the mind of man, and begin with your own. Meditation and reflection must lay the foundation of that knowledge, but experience and practice must, and alone can, complete it.