The Art of Worldly Wisdom (Unabridged Start Publishing LLC)

Never set to work at anything if you have any doubts of its Prudence.

It is a great misfortune to be of use to nobody; scarcely less to be of use to everybody.

‘Tis one of the greatest gifts of mind to be able to offer what is needed at the moment:

But on a true philosophy there is no other umpire than virtue and insight; for there is no luck or ill-luck except wisdom and the reverse.

When you find Fortune favourable, stride boldly forward, for she favours the bold and, being a woman, the young. But if you have bad luck, keep retired so as not to redouble the influence of your unlucky star.

Knowledge and Good Intentions together ensure continuance of success.

The attention you pay to yourself you probably owe to others.

Only Truth can give true reputation: only reality can be of real profit. One deceit needs many others, and so the whole house is built in the air and must soon come to the ground. Unfounded things never reach old age. They promise too much to be much trusted, just as that cannot be true which proves too much.

In men of honour the smallest trace of meanness repels: