Misfortune seldom intrudes upon the wise man; his greatest and highest interests are directed by reason throughout the course of life.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Do not yield to misfortunes, but advance more boldly to meet them, as your fortune permits you.
With no matter what human being, taken individually, I always find reasons for concluding that sorrow and misfortune do not suit him; either because he seems too mediocre for anything so great, or, on the contrary, too precious to be destroyed.
Wise is the man who does not disdain any character and instead, examining him with a searching look, plumbs him to the very main-springs of his being.
A man in my situation, my lords, has not only to encounter the difficulties of fortune. and the force of power over minds which it has corrupted or subjugated. but the difficulties of established prejudice: the man dies, but his memory lives.
Myself acquainted with misfortune, I learn to help the unfortunate.
The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life - knowing that under certain conditions it is not worthwhile to live.
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.
The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.
The greatest misfortune of the wise man and the greatest unhappiness of the fool are based upon convention.