Men who know the same things are not long the best company for each other

Consider what you have in the smallest chosen library: a company of the wisest and wittiest men that could be picked out of all civil countries in a thousand years.... The thought which they did not uncover to their bosom friend is here written out in transparent words to us, the strangers of another age.

Solitude is the safeguard of mediocrity. . . to genius the stern friend.

The greatest difficulty is that men do not think enough of themselves, do not consider what it is that they are sacrificing when they follow in a herd, or when they cater for their establishment

We walk alone in the world. Friends, such as we desire, are dreams and fables.

Skill to do comes of doing