Men are equal, it is not birth but virtue that makes the difference.

We ought not to let either our joy at their faults or our grief at their success be idle, but in either case we ought to reflect, how we may become better than them by avoiding their errors, and by imitating their virtues not come short of them.

Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to combat with ourselves.

If everyone were clothed with integrity, if every heart were just, frank, kindly, the other virtues would be well-nigh unless, since their chief purpose is to make us bear with patience the injustice of our fellows.

There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.

The universe does not favor the greedy, dishonest and evil people, even when it seems so. It helps honest, generous and virtuous people.