Wisdom is a solid and entire building, of which every piece keeps its place and bears its mark.

No profession or occupation is more pleasing than the military; a profession or exercise both noble in execution (for the strongest, most generous and proudest of all virtues is true valor) and noble in its cause. No utility either more just or universal than the protection of the repose or defense of the greatness of one's country. The company and daily conversation of so many noble, young and active men cannot but be well-pleasing to you.

All opinions in the world agree in this, that pleasure is our end, although they differ as to the means of attaining it.

He who is not sure of his memory, should not undertake the trade of lying.

I seek in books only to give myself pleasure by honest amusement; or if I study, I seek only the learning that treats of the knowledge of myself and instructs me in how to die well and live well.

If I am to serve as an instrument of deceit, at least let it be with a clear conscience. I do not want to be considered either so affectionate or so loyal a servant as to be found fit to betray anyone.

He that had never seen a river, imagined the first he met with to be the sea.