The most silent people are generally those who think most highly of themselves.

Books wind into the heart.

Truth from the mouth of an honest man and severity from a good-natured man have a double effect.

Persons of slender intellectual stamina dread competition, as dwarfs are afraid of being run over in the street.

Believe all the good you can of everyone. Do not measure others by yourself. If they have advantages which you have not, let your liberality keep pace with their good fortune. Envy no one, and you need envy no one.

I am always afraid of a fool. One cannot be sure that he is not a knave as well.

Cowardice is not synonymous with prudence. It often happens that the better part of discretion is valor.