That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes.

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.

Virtue, though she gets her beginning from nature, yet receives her finishing touches from learning.

That which offends the ear will not easily gain admission to the mind.

He who speaks evil only differs from his who does evil in that he lacks opportunity.

One thing, however, I must premise, that without the assistance of natural capacity, rules and precepts are of no efficacy.

Give me the boy who rouses when he is praised, who profits when he is encouraged and who cries when he is defeated. Such a boy will be fired by ambition; he will be stung by reproach, and animated by preference; never shall I apprehend any bad consequences from idleness in such a boy.