When a man's eyes are sore his friends do not let him finger them, however much he wishes to, nor do they themselves touch the inflammation: But a man sunk in grief suffers every chance comer to stir and augment his affliction like a running sore; and by reason of the fingering and consequent irritation it hardens into a serious and intractable evil.

The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore to use it, not to misuse it.

Philosophy is the art of living.

We ought to give our friend pain if it will benefit him, but not to the extent of breaking off our friendship; but just as we make use of some biting medicine that will save and preserve the life of the patient. And so the friend, like a musician, in bringing about an improvement to what is good and expedient, sometimes slackens the chords, sometimes tightens them, and is often pleasant, but always useful.

We are more sensible of what is done against custom than against nature.

Lamentation is the only musician that always, like a screech-owl, alights and sits on the roof of any angry man.

A friend should be like money, tried before being required, not found faulty in our need.