"The duration of a man's life is but a point; the substance of it ever flowing, the sense obscure, the course of the body headlong, the soul fickle, fortune uncertain, and fame doubtful."

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

"Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect."

"The present is the only thing of which a man can be deprived, if it is true that this is the only thing which he possesses, and that a man cannot lose a thing if he has it not."

"The soul of man is a portion of the divine breath, and therefore it is immortal. And if it is immortal, it is not afraid of death."