It must be admitted that there are some parts of the soul which we must entirely paralyse before we can live happily in this world.

Anyone whose needs are small seems threatening to the rich, because he's always ready to escape their control.

If it wasn't for me, I'd do brilliantly.

I only study the things I like; I apply my mind only to matters that interest me. They'll be useful-or useless-to me or to others in due course, I'll be given-or not given-the opportunity of benefiting from what I've learned. In any case, I'll have enjoyed the inestimable advantage of doing things I like doing and following my own inclinations.

In a country where everyone strives for attention, it is better to be bankrupt than to be nothing.

False modesty is the most decent of all lies.

Real worth requires no interpreter: its everyday deeds form its emblem.