My mentors grow old and foolish. I am afraid.
I read less and less. I have not forgiven books for their failure to tell me the truth and make me happy.
Beggars beg to get money, not to reproach the passerby.
The muse is blind as Cupid and skittish as Diana.
The wretchedness of failure is the great attraction of success.
Rebuttals never alter desire.