Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions.... Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself what such and such an amusement leads to, as it is essential to have an objective in everything you do. Any pastime that contributes nothing to bodily strength or to mental alertness is a totally ridiculous, not to say, idiotic, pleasure.

An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions. He is neither hot nor timid.

Singularity is only pardonable in old age and retirement; I may now be as singular as I please, but you may not.

Persist and persevere, and you will find most things that are attainable, possible.

Dancing is, in itself, a very trifling and silly thing: but it is one of those established follies to which people of sense are sometimes obliged to conform; and then they should be able to do it well. And though I would not have you a dancer, yet, when you do dance, I would have you dance well, as I would have you do everything you do well.

To govern mankind, one must not overrate them.

Ceremonies are the outworks of manners.