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No one can be called happy. It would be more correct to say that he to whom fate was kind was not unfortunate; because, if we don't talk about everything else, man always feels the fear of the changes of fate, and once such fear is present in his consciousness, there can be no talk of happiness.

Nothing is more lamentable and grander than man.

Each day can only be judged from the perspective of the day that follows it, and with regard to all the days lived, only the last of them can be pronounced. Good is never equal to bad, even if happy circumstances are quantitatively equal to unhappy ones; for there is no joy, however great, that can compare with the least sorrow.

Days should not be counted, but weighed.

When you buy land, look first of all at the water, the road and the neighbor.

Nature cast empty man on an empty earth.

Only the runner falls. He who crawls cannot fall.

It is shameful to admit, but of all living beings only man does not know what is useful to him.

Adversity often sharpens people's minds.

Between what narrow limits is the life of most people!

It is not one's rank that matters, but one's deeds.

The greatest joy in man's life is that of being loved, but there is no less joy when he himself loves.

If you do not win, at least console yourself with the skill and the attempt to be tried.

Any good book is better the bigger it is.

They say you should read a lot, but not a lot.

It is not the crippled and mutilated speech that echoes and shines and disturbs you, but that high one that trickles down like a huge stream.

For most, long thinking has something impressive, important; the sword enters the body not when you strike, but when you plant it; so the word enters the soul.

Sadness has a limit, fear does not.

If you're going to rely on posterity, something finished means to them something that hasn't even been started.

There is a certain joy in sorrow, too, especially if you weep at the bosom of a friend who is ready either to praise your tears or to overlook them.

A live voice produces a much stronger impression. Even if what you read is more intense, what imprints the way of speaking, the person, the position, and even the gesture of someone who speaks enters deeper into the soul.

Look into the depths of your own soul.

Crow to crow does not take its eyes off.

And you find joy and consolation in the sciences.