Misfortune nobly born is good fortune.

Truth and ceremony are two things.

If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one's own self-deception and ignorance.

How ridiculous not to flee from one's own wickedness, which is possible, yet endeavor to flee from another's which is not.

Understand however that every man is worth just so much as the things are worth about which he busies himself.

Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.

Accustom yourself not to be disregarding of what someone else has to say: as far as possible enter into the mind of the speaker.