No profit whatever can possibly be made but at the expense of another. . . . The Merchant only thrives, and grows rich, by the pride, wantonness and debauchery of youth; the husbandman by the price and scarcity of grain; the architect by the ruin of buildings; lawyers, and officers of Justice, by the suits and contentions of men; nay even the honor and office of Divines are derived from our death and vices. A physician takes no pleasure in the health even of his friends . . . nor a soldier in the peace of his country and so of the rest. Essays

One who daily puts the finishing touches on his life is never in want of time. Ad Lucilium Epistulae Morales

His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought. Of Mice and Men

But it is the way of youth that each fresh piece of knowledge of life should go to its head, and that once uplifted by an emotion it can never have enough of it. Beware of Pity