If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it.

Scruples, temptations, and fears, and cutting perplexities of the heart, are often the lot of the most excellent persons.

A wise and good man will turn examples of all sorts to his own advantage. The good he will make his patterns, and strive to equal or excel them. The bad he will by all means avoid.

If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?

We feel and weigh soon enough what we suffer from others: but how much others suffer from us, of this we take no heed.

If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons.

Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will be worthy to receive greater.