Robert Cecil

A wise man looks upon men as he does on horses; all their comparisons of title, wealth, and place, he consider but as harness.

We hear much of a decent pride, a becoming proud, a noble pride, a laudable pride. Can that be decent, of which we ought to be ashamed? Can that be becoming, of which God has set forth the deformity? Can that be noble which God resists and is determined to abase? Can that be laudable, which God call abominable.

Solitude shows us what should be; society shows us what we are.

Examples is more forcible than precept. People look at my six days in the week to see what I mean on the seventh.

- Robert Cecil