Hatred is so lasting and stubborn, that reconciliation on a sickbed certainly forebodes death.

The sweetest of all sounds is that of the voice of the woman we love.

No road is to long for him who advances slowly and does not hurry and no attainment is beyond his reach who equips himself with patience to achieve it

Generosity lies less in giving much than in giving at the right moment.

The spendthrift robs his heirs the miser robs himself.

A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.

Courtly manners are contagious; they are caught at Versailles.

We are more sociable, and get on better with people by the heart than the intellect.

A prince wants only the pleasure of private life to complete his happiness.

There is as much trickery required to grow rich by a stupid book as there is folly in buying it.

Out of difficulties grow miracles.

Let us be honest: most of us rather like our cats to have a streak of wickedness. I should not feel quite easy in the company of any cat that walked around the house with a saintly expression.

Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away.

Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.

The hero draws inspiration from the virtue of his ancestors.

The moment you start to talk about playing music, you destroy music. It cannot be talked about. It can only be played, enjoyed and listened to.

Books are where things are explained to you; life is where things aren't.

The one thing I never questioned about my mother was whether she loved me.

Well, what I want them to know is, just like John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa, that's the kind of spirit that I have, too.

Competition for status is a zero sum game