A reasonable and just man begins with himself first: he examines and considers himself, judges and condemns himself, and does not forgive himself where he is in the wrong.

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  A whole society, and each person on their own as well, when not guided by sound reason and wise counsel, must of necessity suffer and fall into ruin.

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  A sensible man is ashamed to meddle in what he is not skilled in, while a senseless one thinks it a great shame if he does not poke his nose in everywhere.

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  We people are like birds that always get caught in the same nets and still will not listen.

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  The reasonable keep getting better, while the unreasonable either stay as they were or, what is more likely, if they do not improve, keep getting worse.

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  Books, my brothers, books, not bells and baubles!

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  There is no more shameful trade than idling, doing nothing and sloth.

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