Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.
No wonder, said an Ancient, that chance has so much power over us, since it is by chance that we live.
The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mould
Books are a languid pleasure.
I agree that we should work and prolong the functions of life as far as we can, and hope that Death may find me planting my cabbages, but indifferent to him and still more to the unfinished state of my garden.
The curiosity of knowing things has been given to man for a scourge.