Make good thy standing place, and move the world.

The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

The government of a nation itself is usually found to be but the reflux of the individuals composing it. The government that is ahead of the people will be inevitably dragged down to their level, as the government that is behind them will in the long run be dragged up.

Even happiness itself may become habitual. There is a habit of looking at the bright side of things, and also of looking at the dark side.

Like men, nations are purified and strengthened by trials.

No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober. Such reforms can only be effected by means of individual action, economy and self-denial; by better habits, rather than by greater rights.

The truest politeness comes of sincerity.