And obstinacy is the sister of constancy, at least in vigour and stability.

Who feareth to suffer suffereth already, because he feareth.

The first lessons with which we should irrigate his mind should be those which teach him to know himself, and to know how to die ... and to live.

If others surpass you in knowledge, in charm, in strength, in fortune, you have other causes to blame for it; but if you yield tothem in stoutness of heart you have only yourself to blame.

To divert myself from a troublesome fancy, it is but to run to my books; they presently fix me to them, and drive the other out of my thoughts, and do not mutiny to see that I have only recourse to them for want of other more, real, natural, and lively conveniences; they always receive me with the same kindness.

We should be similarly wary of accepting common opinions; we should judge them by the ways of reason not by popular vote.

The desire for riches is more sharpened by their use than by their need. Pleasing all: a mark that can never be aimed at or hit.