[Marriage] happens as with cages: the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair of getting out.

There never were, in the world, two opinions alike, no more than two hairs, or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.

Obstinacy and contention are common qualities, most appearing in, and best becoming, a mean and illiterate soul.

Pythagoras used to say that life resembles the Olympic Games: a few people strain their muscles to carry off a prize; others bring trinkets to sell to the crowd for gain; and some there are, and not the worst, who seek no other profit than to look at the show and see how and why everything is done; spectators of the life of other people in order to judge and regulate their own.

There are few men who dare to publish to the world the prayers they make to Almighty God.

To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquillity in our conduct.

I do not understand; I pause; I examine.