No man can purchase his virtue too dear, for it is the only thing whose value must ever increase with the price it has cost us. - Charles Caleb Colton

With books, as with companions, it is of more consequence to know which to avoid, than which to choose; for good books are as scarce as good companions.

It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies, seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to know its pleasures, we must go to those who are seeking it; the pains of power are real, its pleasures imaginary.