Memory is not only unruly, leaving us in the lurch when most needed, but stupid as well, putting its nose into places where it is not wanted.

One should cultivate good habits of memory, for it is capable of making existence a Paradise or an Inferno.

Things have their time, even eminence bows to timeliness.

Audacious persons hope to make themselves eternally famous by setting fire to one of the wonders of the world and of the ages. The art of reproving scandal is to take no notice of it, to combat it damages our own case; even if credited it causes discredit, and is a source of satisfaction to our opponent, for this shadow of a stain dulls the lustre of our fame even if it cannot altogether deaden it.

Work is the price which is paid for reputation.

When you counsel someone, you should appear to be reminding him of something he had forgotten, not of the light he was unable to see.