"Choose to be either free or a slave, enlightened or a fool, a thoroughbred or a nag. Either resign yourself to a life of abuse till you die, or escape it immediately. For God's sake, don't put up with…"

"Circumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself."

"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things."

"Difficulties are things that show what men are."

"Never say about anything, 'I have lost it,' but only, 'I have given it back.'"