Self-love is even deceived by self-love, because by looking out for our own interests and disregarding those of other people, we lose the advantage that comes with the exchange of favors.

Pettiness of mind, ignorance and presumption are the cause of stubbornness, because stubborn people only want to believe what they themselves can imagine, and they can imagine very few things.

To be too dissatisfied with ourselves is a weakness. To be too satisfied with ourselves is a stupidity.

It is a singular characteristic of love that we cannot hide it where it exists, or pretend it where it does not exist.

We prefer people who are trying to imitate us more than those who are trying to equal us. This is because imitation is a sign of esteem, but the desire to equal others is a sign of envy.

Honest and sincere acts mislead the wicked and cause them to lose their path to their own goals, because mean-spirited people usually believe that people never act without deceit.

It is vain and useless to survey everything that goes on in the world if our study does not help us mend our ways.

Sometimes we praise the way things used to be in order to blame the present, and we esteem what is no longer in order to scorn what is.

Mean-spirited mediocrities, especially those with a smattering of learning, are the most likely to be opinionated. Only strong minds know how to correct their opinions and abandon a bad position.

Even the best-natured people, if uninstructed, are always blind and uncertain. We must take pains to instruct ourselves so that ignorance makes us neither too timid nor too bold.

Criticism should awaken our attention, not inflame our anger. We should listen to, and not flee from, those who contradict us. Truth should be our cause, no matter in what manner it comes to us.

When you make ‘adjustments’ with everyone, that indeed is the highest of all religion (dharma).

Your misery is everyone else's entertainment.

I'm composing and writing music.

I like the smell of a dunged field, and the tumult of a popular election.

If you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion, probably God is as weary of it as you are.

The few people who ask to have their photographs with me, I almost always say yes, except for a few circumstances, like when my family is around.

The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.

If you're successful, don't crow. If you're defeated, don't croak.

If you add the value, you will become the brand. Find a way to add more value than anyone else does

Pham Nuwen plunked himself down, stretching indolently.