If every man took only what was sufficient for his needs, leaving the rest to those in want, there would be no rich and no poor.

He who sows courtesy reaps friendship.

I heard many discourses which were good for the soul, but I could not discover in the case of any one of the teachers that his life was worthy of his words.

All these stupendous objects are daily around us; but because they are constantly exposed to our view, they never affect our minds, so natural is it for us to admire new, rather than grand objects. Therefore the vast multitude of stars which diversify the beauty of this immense body does not call the people together; but when any change happens therein, the eyes of all are fixed upon the heavens.

If you begin to guard wealth it will not be yours. But if you begin to distribute it, you will not lose it.

Do not, as is usually the case, thrust the care of the common weal upon your neighbor; then, as each one in his own thoughts makes light of the matter, all find to their surprise that they have drawn upon themselves by their neglect a personal misfortune.

Does not the gratitude of the dog put to shame any man who is ungrateful to his benefactors?