If a man who can't count finds a four leaf clover, is he lucky?

If a man will be righteous and equal, let him see, with his neighbour's eyes, in his own case; and with his own eyes, in his neighbour's case.

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.

If a man will comprehend the richness and variety of the universe, and inspire his mind with a due measure of wonder and awe, he must contemplate the human intellect not only on its heights of genius but in its abysses of ineptitude.

If a man will not work, he shall not eat.

If a man will observe as he walks the streets, I believe he will find the merriest countenances in mourning coaches.

If a man wishes to become a hero, then the serpent must first become a dragon: otherwise he lacks his proper enemy.

If a man wishes to have God recognized in the constitution of our country, let him read the history of the Inquisition, and let him remember that hundreds of millions of men, women, and children have been sacrificed to placate the wrath, or win the approbation of this god.

If a man wishes to rid himself of a feeling of unbearable oppression, he may have to take hashish.

If a man wishes to truly not be written about, he would do well not to write letters to 18-year-old girls, inviting them into his life.

If a man with a dog sits quietly enjoying music and smiling, his dog might sit down beside him and smile, too. But who knows whether the dog is having a comparable experience or whether the dog is simply happy that his master is happy.

If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere -- although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.

If a man works like a horse for his money, there are a lot of girls anxious to take him down the bridal path.

If a man would follow, today, the teachings of the Old Testament, he would be a criminal. If he would follow strictly the teachings of the New, he would be insane.

If a man would register all his opinions upon love, politics, religion, learning etc., beginning from his youth, and so go to old age, what a bundle of inconsistencies and contradictions would appear at last.

If a man writes a brilliant enough play in praise of something that is universally loathed, the play, if it is good and well enough written, should not be knocked down because of its approach to its subject.

If a man's character is to be abused there's nobody like a relative to do the business.

If a man's character is to be abused, say what you will, there's nobody like a relation to do the business.

If a man's esteem and gratitude are ever worth the winning, you have won mine today. If ever the future should bring to you a time when you need a man's help, believe me, you will not call in vain. God grant that no such time may ever come to you to break the sunshine of your life; but if it should ever come, promise me that you will let me know.