“The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together.”

Whatever makes an impression on the heart seems lovely in the eye.

A friend whom you have been gaining during your whole life, you ought not to be displeased with in a moment. A stone is many years becoming a ruby – take care that you do not destroy it in an instant against another stone.

When a mean wretch cannot vie with another in virtue, out of his wickedness he begins to slander. The abject envious wretch will slander the virtuous man when absent, but when brought face to face his loquacious tongue becomes dumb.

It is better to break off a thousand friendships, than to endure the sight of a single enemy.

A man of virtue, judgment, and prudence speaks not until there is silence.

Whoever recounts to you the faults of your neighbour will doubtless expose your defects to others.

No person learned the art of archery from me, who did not in the end make me his target.

To pardon the oppressor is to deal harshly with the oppressed.

If a gem falls into mud it is still valuable. If dust ascends to heaven, it remains valueless.

Man is, beyond dispute, the most excellent of created beings, and the vilest animal is a dog; but the sages agree that a grateful dog is better than an ungrateful man.

He who is indifferent to the suffering of others is a traitor to that which is truly human.

Holiness comes by holy deeds. Not starving flesh of daily needs.

A peace-mingling falsehood is preferable to a mischief-stirring truth.

Do good even to the wicked; it is as well to shut a dog’s mouth with a crumb.

A traveler without knowledge is a bird without wings.

Patience accomplishes its object, while hurry speeds to its ruin.

Reality is a question of perspective.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.

Why is it that when we talk to God we’re said to be praying but when God talks to us we’re schizophrenic?

I always say when someone says something negative about me, it’s really saying something negative about them.

You can’t expect insights, even the big ones, to make you suddenly understand everything. But I figure: Hey it’s a step in the right direction if they leave you confused in a deeper way.

Since the day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.

There’s no such thing as love; only proof of love.

So I am deeply saddened and shocked over the current legislation that is now in place against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community here in Russia. In my opinion, it is inhumane and it is isolating.