Echoes

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few.

Friendship and domestic happiness are continually praised; yet how little is there of either in the world, because it requires more cultivation of mind to keep awake affection, even in our own hearts, than the common run of people suppose. Besides, few like to be seen as they really are; and a degree of simplicity, and of undisguised confidence, which, to uninterested observers, would almost border on weakness, is the charm, nay the essence of love or friendship, all the bewitching graces of childhood again appearing.

Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready.

Of all the means which wisdom acquires to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is friendship.

Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.

Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.

It is natural for a man's character and actions to be influenced by his friends and associates and for him to follow the local norms of behavior. Therefore, he should associate with the righteous and be constantly in the company of the wise, so as to learn from their deeds. Conversely, he should keep away from the wicked who walk in darkness, so as not to learn from their deeds.

When one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from the path. What you do not like when done to yourself, do not do to others.

Sincerity is the end and beginning of things; without sincerity there would be nothing. On this account, the superior man regards the attainment of sincerity as the most excellent thing.

Plato is my friend — Aristotle is my friend — but truth is a greater friend.

My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity.

Know how to refuse. One ought not to give way in everything nor to everybody.

No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.

To account nothing of one’s self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom.

I rely on two precedents: first, to similar cases our Sages applied the verse, "It is time to do something in honour of the Lord: for they have made void thy law"... Secondly, they have said, "Let all thy acts be guided by pure intentions." ...Lastly, when I have a difficult subject before me—when I find the road narrow, and can see no other way of teaching a well established truth except by pleasing one intelligent man and displeasing ten thousand fools—I prefer to address myself to the one man, and to take no notice whatever of the condemnation of the multitude; I prefer to extricate that intelligent man from his embarrassment and show him the cause of his perplexity, so that he may attain perfection and be at peace.

True glory takes root and spreads; all pretenses quickly fall like flowers, and nothing feigned can last.

Right here let me make as vigorous a plea as I know how in favor of saying nothing that we do not mean, and of acting without hesitation up to whatever we say. A good many of you are probably acquainted with the old proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick—you will go far." If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble; and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power.

Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together.

When people are friends, they have no need of justice, but when they are just, they need friendship in addition.

If thou desire to profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor even desire the repute of learning.

So it is more useful to watch a man in times of peril, and in adversity to discern what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn from the depths of his heart, and the mask is torn off, reality remains.

Attach yourself to what is spiritually superior, regardless of what other people think or do. Hold to your true aspirations no matter what is going on around you.

Withdraw into yourself as much as you can. Associate with those who will make a better man of you. Welcome those whom you yourself can improve.

The man of perfect virtue is cautious and slow in his speech. When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?