As I approve of a youth that has something of the old man in him, so I am no less pleased with an old man that has something of the youth. He that follows this rule may be old in body, but can never be so in mind.
Advice in old age is foolish for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey's end.
The harvest of old age is the recollection and abundance of blessing previously secured.
Brevity is the best recommendation of speech, whether in a senator or an orator.
I add this, that rational ability without education has oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education without natural ability.
Natural ability without education has more often attained to glory and virtue than education without natural ability.
The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct.
Just as the soul fills the body, so God fills the world. Just as the soul bears the body, so God endures the world. Just as the soul sees but is not seen, so God sees but is not seen. Just as the soul feeds the body, so God gives food to the world.
Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.
The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them, each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other, always using friendly and sincere words.
What sweetness is left in life, if you take away friendship? Robbing life of friendship is like robbing the world of the sun. A true friend is more to be esteemed than kinsfolk.
Just as the soul fills the body, so God fills the world. Just as the soul bears the body, so God endures the world. Just as the soul sees but is not seen, so God sees but is not seen. Just as the soul feeds the body, so God gives food to the world.
If you pursue good with labor, the labor passes away but the good remains if you pursue evil with pleasure, the pleasure passes away and the evil remains.
Let us not listen to those who think we ought to be angry with our enemies, and who believe this to be great and manly. Nothing is so praiseworthy, nothing so clearly shows a great and noble soul, as clemency and readiness to forgive.
It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.
Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself.
Great is the power of habit. It teaches us to bear fatigue and to despise wounds and pain.
Great is our admiration of the orator who speaks with fluency and discretion.
Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.
Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself.
Knowledge which is divorced from justice, may be called cunning rather than wisdom.