To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct. Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately. All other things, ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, at most.

Tis so much to be a king, that he only is so by being so.

All we do is to look after the opinions and learning of others: we ought to make them our own.

A strong imagination begetteth opportunity.

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

I set forth a humble and inglorious life; that does not matter. You can tie up all moral philosophy with a common and private life just as well as with a life of richer stuff. Each man bears the entire form of man's estate.

Confidence in the goodness of another is good proof of one's own goodness.