Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. Loggers don't cut down trees. Logging companies don't cut down trees. Those who buy books, newspapers, and houses cut down trees. Francis Bacon, Essays , 1625.
Character is destiny.
Epictetus Ultimately, no one can extract from things, books included, more than he already knows. What one has no access to through experience one has no ear for. The only way to have a friend is to be one. No act of kindness is ever wasted. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.