The quote database

Now, old age is as it were the playing out of the drama, the full fatigue of which we should shun, especially when we also feel that we have had more than enough of it.

In such cases friendships should be allowed to die out gradually by an intermission of intercourse.

it is in regard to friendship, as in so many other things, so supple and sensitive that it expands, so to speak, at a friend's good fortune, contracts at his misfortunes

if it has in store any of what I may call the food of study and philosophy, nothing can be pleasanter than an old age of leisure

Now friendship may be thus defined: a complete accord on all subjects human and divine, joined with mutual goodwill and affection.

An actor, in order to earn approval, is not bound to perform the play from beginning to end; let him only satisfy the audience in whatever act he appears.

a man who is always living in the midst of these studies and labours does not perceive when old age creeps upon him

Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.

Overlooking partial and temporary evils as inseparable from the practical operation of all human institutions, and looking only to the general result, every patriot has reason to be satisfied.

None other than this long brown land lays such a hold on the affections. The rainbow hills, the tender bluish mists, the luminous radiance of the spring, have the lotus charm.

For all the toll the desert takes of a man it gives compensations, deep breaths, deep sleep, and the communion of the stars.

We give thanks for these things and that gratitude reciprocates, creating more to be thankful for. It’s simple, and it works.

Life is a verb. We try our best. We don’t always do our best.

One thing you can depend on people being…is people.

Happiness demands a certain outcome, it is result reliant.

Ambition is of all others the most contrary humour to solitude; glory and repose are things that cannot possibly inhabit in one and the same place.

If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I find it could no otherwise be expressed, than by making answer: because it was he, because it was I.

Whereas in friendship, 'tis a general and universal fire, but temperate and equal, a constant established heat, all gentle and smooth, without poignancy or roughness.

The beauty of our system of government consists, and its safety and durability must consist, in avoiding mutual collisions and encroachments and in the regular separate action of all, while each is revolving in its own distinct orbit.

In love there is no first nor last!

Success is the child of two very plain parents--punctuality and accuracy.

Numa's virtue made him so celebrated that he was judged worthy to be king, Lykurgus' made him so great that he did not care to be king.

the foolish overlook and neglect present blessings, through their thoughts being ever intent on the future; but the wise make the past clearly present to them through memory

as the strings of the bow and lyre are alternately tightened and relaxed, so is it with the order of the world; in human affairs there is nothing pure and without alloy

Whereas among real friends there is no rivalry or jealousy of one another, but they are satisfied and contented alike whether they are equal or one of them is superior.