It is only the surprise and newness of the thing which makes that misfortune terrible which by premeditation might be made easy to us. For that which some people make light by sufferance, others do by foresight.

If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living.

A good person dyes events with his own color . . . and turns whatever happens to his own benefit.

Fire tests gold, suffering tests brave men.

Whatsoever has exceeded its proper limit is in an unstable position.

There is no genius without a mixture of madness.

In the meantime, cling tooth and nail to the following rule: not to give in to adversity, not to trust prosperity, and always take full note of fortune's habit of behaving just as she pleases.