A slave has but one master; an ambitious man has as many masters as there are people who may be useful in bettering his position.

A coxcomb is one whom simpletons believe to be a man of merit.

A pious man is one who would be an atheist if the king were.

Even the best intentioned of great men need a few scoundrels around them; there are some things you cannot ask an honest man to do.

There is no road too long to the man who advances deliberately and without undue haste; there are no honors too distant to the man who prepares himself for them with patience.

There are only three events in a man's life; birth, life, and death; he is not conscious of being born, he dies in pain, and he forgets to live.