The condition of all who are preoccupied is wretched, but most wretched is the condition of those who labor at preoccupations that are not even their own, who regulate their sleep by that of another, their walk by the pace of another, who are under orders in case of the freest things in the world-loving and hating. If these wish to know how short their life is, let them reflect how small a part of it is their own.

Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man's power to live long.

If you don't know, ask. You will be a fool for the moment, but a wise man for the rest of your life.

The great thing is to know when to speak and when to keep quiet.

Watch over yourself. Be your own accuser, then your judge; ask yourself grace sometimes, and, if there is need, impose upon yourself some pain.

A good mind is a lord of a kingdom.

You cease to be afraid when you cease to hope; for hope is accompanied by fear.