There has never been any great genius without a spice of madness.

The customs of that most criminal nation (Israel) have gained such strength that they have now been received in all lands. The conquered have given laws to the conquerors.

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.

Our life's a moment and less than a moment, but even this mite nature has mockingly humored with some appearance of a longer span.

We are as answerable for what we give as for what we receive; nay, the misplacing of a benefit is worse than the not receiving of it; for the one is another person's fault, but the other is mine.

So live with men as if God saw you and speak to God, as if men heard you.

A man can refrain from wanting what he has not and cheerfully make the best of a bird in the hand.