There are so many fools and knaves, because there are so few men who know themselves.
The question is not to discover what will suit us, but for what we are suited! What should I do among these many experienced financial speculators?
I am only a poor sparrow, born among the housetops, and should always fear the enemy crouching in the dark corner; I am a prudent workman, and should think of the business of my neighbors who so suddenly disappeared; I am a timid observer, and should call to mind the flowers so slowly raised by the old soldier, or the shop brought to ruin by constant change of masters.

Away from me, ye banquets, over which hangs the sword of Damocles! I am a country mouse.

Give me my nuts and hollow tree, and I ask nothing besides--except security.
And why this insatiable craving for riches?
Does a man drink more when he drinks from a large glass?
Whence comes that universal dread of mediocrity, the fruitful mother of peace and liberty?
Ah! there is the evil which, above every other, it should be the aim of both public and private education to anticipate! If that were got rid of, what treasons would be spared, what baseness avoided, what a chain of excess and crime would be forever broken! We award the palm to charity, and to self-sacrifice; but, above all, let us award it to moderation, for it is the great social virtue.

Even when it does not create the others, it stands instead of them.
Six o'clock .-- I have written a letter of thanks to the promoters of the new speculation, and have declined their offer! This decision has restored my peace of mind.

I stopped singing, like the cobbler, as long as I entertained the hope of riches: it is gone, and happiness is come back! O beloved and gentle Poverty! pardon me for having for a moment wished to fly from thee, as I would from Want.