The greatest power of ruling consists in the exercise of self-control.

People pay the doctor for his trouble; for his kindness they still remain in his debt.

If you don't know what port you are sailing to, no wind is favourable.

Human nature is so constituted that insults sink deeper than kindnesses; the remembrance of the latter soon passes away, while that of the former is treasured in the memory.

What difference does it make how much there is laid away in a man's safe or in his barns, how many head of stock he grazes or how much capital he puts out at interest, if he is always after what is another's and only counts what he has yet to get, never what he has already. You ask what is the proper limit to a person's wealth? First, having what is essential, and second, having what is enough.

There is no genius without a mixture of madness.

A large part of mankind is angry not with the sins, but with the sinners.