All I desire is, that my poverty may not be a burden to myself, or make me so to others; and that is the best state of fortune that is neither directly necessitous nor far from it. A mediocrity of fortune, with gentleness of mind, will preserve us from fear or envy; which is a desirable condition; for no man wants power to do mischief.

Retirement without literary amusements is death itself, and a living tomb.

Rehearse death. To say this is to tell a person to rehearse his freedom. A person who has learned how to die has unlearned how to be a slave. He is above, or at any rate, beyond the reach of, all political powers.

Virtue with some is nothing but successful temerity.

It takes the whole of life to learn how to live, and - even more surprising - it takes the whole of life to learn how to die.

Resistance to oppression is second nature.

Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment.