Whenyou plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. Youlook for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water,or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with ourfriends or our family,

A newbroom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners.

Allthings are ready, if our minds be so.

The greatest prayer is patience.

The exercise of power is determined by thousands ofinteractions between the world of the powerful and that of the powerless, allthe more so because these worlds are never divided by a sharp line: everyonehas a small part of himself in both.

In all superstitions wise men follow fools.

You don'thave to worry about being bit if the dog doesn't have any teeth. Success hasmade failures of many men.

In thefield of observation, chance favors only theprepared minds.

The poet gives us his essence, but prose takes the mould of the body and mind entire.

Pleasure is the sincerest compliment.

Slander cannot destroy an honest man: when the flood recedes the rock is there.

There's no point in arguing with partisan supporters. Their views are their identity.Nothing you can tell the most phlegmatic follower.