Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it.

It is not eminent talent that is required to ensure success in any pursuit, so much as purpose-not merely the power to achieve, but the will to labour energetically and perseveringly. Hence energy of will may be defined to be the very central power of character in a man-in a word, it is the Man himself.

The apprenticeship of difficulty is one which the greatest of men have had to serve.

The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted.

Cecil's dispatch of business was extraordinary, his maxim being, "The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once."

Riches do not constitute any claim to distinction. It is only the vulgar who admire riches as riches.

The wise man... if he would live at peace with others, he will bear and forbear.