A great part of art consists in imitation. For the whole conduct of life is based on this: that what we admire in others we want to do ourselves.

A liar must have a good memory. -Mendacem oportet esse memorem

Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire.

Sayings designed to raise a laugh are generally untrue and never complimentary. Laughter is never far removed from derision.

A man who tries to surpass another may perhaps succeed in equaling inot actually surpassing him, but one who merely follows can never quite come up with him: a follower, necessarily, is always behind.

Prune what is turgid, elevate what is commonplace, arrange what is disorderly, introduce rhythm where the language is harsh, modify where it is too absolute.

God, that all-powerful Creator of nature and architect of the world, has impressed man with no character so proper to distinguish him from other animals, as by the faculty of speech.