Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.

Nothing is so difficult to believe that oratory cannot make it acceptable, nothing so rough and uncultured as not to gain brilliance and refinement from eloquence.

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time.

I will go further, and assert that nature without culture can often do more to deserve praise than culture without nature.

Old age, especially an honored old age, has so great authority, that this is of more value than all the pleasures of youth.

It is our own evil thoughts which madden us.

Nothing stands out so conspicuously, or remains so firmly fixed in the memory, as something which you have blundered.