In the education of children there is nothing like alluring the interest and affection; otherwise you only make so many asses laden with books.
Since I would rather make of him an able man than a learned man, I would also urge that care be taken to choose a guide with a well-made rather than a well-filled head.
Meditation is a rich and powerful method of study for anyone who knows how to examine his mind.
Tis so much to be a king, that he only is so by being so.
Taking it all in all, I find it is more trouble to watch after money than to get it.
Greatness of soul consists not so much in soaring high and in pressing forward, as in knowing how to adapt and limit oneself.
Scratching is one of nature’s sweetest gratifications, and the one nearest at hand.
I conceive that pleasures are to be avoided if greater pains be the consequence, and pains to be coveted that will terminate in greater pleasures.
The most certain sign of wisdom is continual cheerfulness; her state is like the things above the moon, always clear and serene.
I have here only made a nosegay of culled flowers, and have brought nothing of my own but the thread that tied them together.
I see men ordinarily more eager to discover a reason for things than to find out whether the things are so.
Every man may speak truly, but to speak methodically, prudently, and fully is a talent that few men have.
One open way of speaking introduces another open way of speaking, and draws out discoveries, like wine and love.
Nature clasps all her creatures in a universal embrace; there is not one of them which she has not plainly furnished with all means necessary to the conservation of its being.
Men are most apt to believe what they least understand.
The honor we receive from those that fear us, is not honor; those respects are paid to royalty and not to me.
There is, nevertheless, a certain respect and a general duty of humanity that ties us, not only to beasts that have life and sense, but even to trees and plants.
The world is but a school of inquisition; it is not who shall enter the ring, but who shall run the best courses.
It is commonly seen by experience that excellent memories do often accompany weak judgements.
It is not the want, but rather abundance that creates avarice.