It is very dangerous to touch people's impure conscience: as long as they believe their facts are unknown, they can change for the better, but if they understand that they have been exposed, they will persevere, behaving even worse .
Man is all the more suspicious the less he is aware of it.
Indeed, if we call the power over nature "wonder," then it, the wonder, manifests itself best in misfortunes.
Man's nature is most easily discovered in isolation, because then he gets rid of all appearances; in the height of passion, because then he forgets his own rules; and in new situations, because then the power of habit leaves him.
The modest man assimilates even the faults of another, the proud enjoys only his own.
The most acceptable of all causes of war is the desire to overthrow tyranny, under the pressure of which tormented and powerless people suffer.
There are three sources of injustice: violence as such, malicious cunning disguised under the name of law, and the cruelty of law itself.
Those who have no friends to confide in are devourers of their own hearts.
Only anger and fear compel violence.
Age has its laws, and these must be borne in mind: young people are more inclined to invent something than to judge something, to perform than to consult, to pass from one thing to another than to deal with a particular thing .
It would be well if men, when they introduce something new, would follow the example of times which indeed produced great transformations, but gradually and almost imperceptibly; otherwise, any news will be unexpected. And as always, newness is a blessing to some and a plague to others.
Man believes more quickly in the truth of what he prefers.
Human nature has more stupidity than wisdom. That is why the qualities, which captivate human stupidity, have a greater power of influence.
An honest and decent man will never in any way be able to correct and re-educate dishonest and wicked men, unless he himself has explored all the recesses and depths of evil. Because corrupt and dishonest people are convinced that honesty and decency exist only because of people's inexperience and naivety, and only because they believe in various preachers and teachers.
Reading makes a man knowledgeable, conversation, ingenious, and the habit of writing, precise.
As far as the direct fruits of popularity are concerned, wisdom by far gives place, in this respect, to eloquence.
What is received through the senses produces a stronger effect on the memory and is more easily retained than what is received intellectually.
Wine conveys four qualities to whoever drinks it. At first, man begins to resemble a peacock: he swells in feathers, his movements are harmonious and imposing. Then he gets a monkey look and starts joking and flirting with everyone. Then he begins to resemble a lion and becomes smolderingly proud and confident in his strength. And finally he turns into a pig and, like it, rolls through the mud.
Fools only notice people's faults and do not pay attention to their qualities. They resemble flies that persistently seek to settle only on inflamed areas of the body.
The soul that lacks wisdom is as dead. But if you enrich it by study, it comes to life like the waste land that has been watered by the rain.
The most precious praise is that which comes from a man to whom you have done no good.
Don't neglect the little people, they can help you rise.
Why do envious people always get upset about something? Because they bear not only their own failures, but also the successes of others.
The indulgent relationship with stupidity is characteristic of any sane person.
Patience is a wonderful quality, but life is too short to be patient for long.
What you hide from your enemy, don't tell your friend, because there are no guarantees that friendship will last forever.
The measure is the ally of nature and the guardian of health. That's why when you drink, eat, move or even love, keep it in moderation.
The man who behaves properly from the very beginning is safe from the reproaches of conscience.
I often regret what I've said, but I'm rarely sorry for being silent.
We recognize the rich man everywhere; he has friends everywhere, and the poor man even among his own is looked upon with displeasure.