There is no fate more distressing for an artist than to have to show himself off before fools, to see his work exposed to the criticism of the vulgar and ignorant.

He is not to be trusted as a friend who illtreats his own family.

The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings.

If you choose bad companions, no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself.

Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.

The grateful heart will always find opportunities to show its gratitude.

You have but to hold forth in cap and gown, and any gibberish becomes learning, all nonsense passes for sense.

Words and deeds are far from being one. Much that is talked about is left undone.

Don't appear so scholarly, pray. Humanize your talk, and speak to be understood.

How easy love makes fools of us.

Doubts are more cruel than the worst of truths.

The more we love our friends, the less we flatter them; it is by excusing nothing that pure love shows itself.

Folk whose own behavior is most ridiculous are always to the fore in slandering others.

I want people to be sincere; a man of honor shouldn't speak a single word that doesn't come straight from his heart.

Without knowledge, life is no more than the shadow of death