Desire is the very essence of man.

Appearances often are deceiving.

Wisdom begins at the end.

Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.

It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a general natural law

Early to bed and early to rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?

Empty your cup so that it may be filled; become devoid to gain totality.

I know I am but mortal and so therewhilst prepare myself for death, whensoever it shall please God to send it.

I have had good experience and trial of this world...I know what it is to be a subject, what to be a sovereign, what to have good neighbours, and sometimes meet evil willers. I have found treason in trust, seen great benefits little regarded.

I have no desire to make windows into mens souls

Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool.

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.

A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence.

Rational discussion is useful only when there is a significant base of shared assumptions.

The lie is a condition of life.

Better beggar woman and single than Queen and married.

All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope.

Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it.