A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.

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If we suspect that a man is lying, we should pretend to believe him; for then he becomes bold and assured, lies more vigorously, and is unmasked.

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The present is the only reality and the only certainty.

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We seldom think of what we have but always of what we lack. Therefore, rather than grateful, we are bitter.

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The safest way of not being very miserable is not to expect to be very happy.

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Education perverts the mind since we are directly opposing the natural development of our mind by obtaining ideas first and observations last. This is why so few men of learning have such sound common sense as is quite common among the illiterate.

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Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.

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Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.

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The shortness of life, so often lamented, may be the best thing about it.

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What people commonly call fate is mostly their own stupidity

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