Aptitude found in the understanding and is often inherited. Genius coming from reason and imagination, rarely.

Everything that exists is in a manner the seed of that which will be.

Consider when thou art much vexed or grieved, that man's life is only a moment, and after a short time we are all laid out dead.

God overrules all mutinous accidents, brings them under His laws of fate, and makes them all serviceable to His purpose.

If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying anything deserving of contempt.

Consider frequently the connection of all things in the universe and their relation to one another. For things are somehow implicated with one another, and all in a way friendly to one another.

Treat with utmost respect your power of forming opinions, for this power alone guards you against making assumptions that are contrary to nature and judgments that overthrow the rule of reason.