It should be noted that children at play are not playing about; their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity.

Examples teach us that in military affairs, and all others of a like nature, study is apt to enervate and relax the courage of man, rather than to give strength and energy to the mind.

I look upon the too good opinion that man has of himself, as the nursing mother of all false opinions, both public and private.

What fear has once made me will, I am bound still to will when without fear.

It is not necessity but abundance which produces greed.

Human understanding is marvellously enlightened by daily conversation with men, for we are, otherwise, compressed and heaped up in ourselves, and have our sight limited to the length of our own noses.

Writing does not cause misery. It is born of misery.