But as Nature is the best guide, teaching must be the development of natural inclinations, for which purpose the teacher must watch his pupil and listen to him, not continually bawl words into his ears as if pouring water into a funnel. Good teaching will come from a mind well made rather than well filled.

One should always have one's boots on and be ready to leave.

Obstinacy and dogmatism are the surest signs of stupidity. Is there anything more confident, resolute, disdainful, grave and serious than an ass?

Man will rise, if God by exception lends him a hand; he will rise by abandoning and renouncing his own means, and letting himselfbe raised and uplifted by purely celestial means.

Speech belongs half to the speaker, half to the listener. The latter must prepare to receive it according to the motion it takes.

Fie on the eloquence that leaves us craving itself, not things!

In general I ask for books that make use of learning, not those that build it up.