The same reason that makes us chide and brawl and fall out with any of our neighbors, causeth a war to follow between Princes.

To smell, though well, is to stink.

A father is very miserable who has no other hold on his children's affection than the need they have of his assistance, if that can be called affection.

The height and value of true virtue consists in the facility, utility, and pleasure of its exercise; so far from difficulty, that boys, as well as men, and the innocent as well as the subtle, may make it their own; and it is by order and good conduct, and not by force, that it is to be acquired.

The world always looks straights ahead; as for me, I turn my gaze inward, I fix it there and keep it busy. Everyone looks in front of him: as for me, I look inside me: I have no business but with myself; I continually observe myself, I take stock of myself, I taste myself. Others...they always go forward; as for me, I roll about in myself.

Everything must not always be said, for that would be folly.

There are some defeats more triumphant than victories.