We promise according to our hopes 

and perform according to our fears.

If we have not peace within ourselves, 

it is in vain to seek it from outward sources.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, 

and to be esteemed polite oneself.

The surest way to be deceived is to consider oneself cleverer than others.

Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.

They that apply themselves to trifling matters 

commonly become incapable of great ones.

The intellect is always fooled by the heart.

We are sometimes 

as different from ourselves 

as we are from others.

A wise man thinks it more advantageous 

not to join the battle 

than to win.

Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, 

as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.

Few people have the wisdom to prefer 

the criticism that would do them good, 

to the praise that deceives them.