There is little less trouble in governing a private family than a whole kingdom. - Michel de Montaigne

I have never seen a greater monster or miracle than myself.

We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship, for to undertake to wound or offend a man for his own good is to have a healthy love for him.

Life itself is neither a good nor an evil: life is where good or evil find a place, depending on how you make it for them.