There is the name and the thing; the name is a sound which sets a mark on and denotes the thing. The name is no part of the thing nor of the substance; it is an extraneous piece added to the thing, and outside of it.

A wellborn mind that is practiced in dealing with people makes itself thoroughly agreeable by itself. Art is nothing else but thelist and record of the productions of such minds.

My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.

Men throw themselves on foreign assistances to spare their own, which, after all, are the only certain and sufficient ones.

We should spread joy, but, as far as we can, repress sorrow.

I do not teach. I relate.

To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct. Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately. All other things, ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, at most.