The virtue of the soul does not consist in flying high, but in walking orderly; its grandeur does not exercise itself in grandeur, but in mediocrity.

Montaigne

There is nothing wrong in drinking as much as a man can hold without having to be taken home by a servant, unless of course he is very old.  The man to be praised is he who, after drinking, can still express thoughts that are noble and well arranged.

Xenophranes, per Philip Wheelwright, The PreSocratics)

While sitting at the fireside in the winter, at ease on soft couches, well fed, sipping tasty wine and nibbling tidbits, it is then that a host may duly inquire of his guest:  Who are you among men, and whence do you come?

Xenophanes, (per Philip Wheelwright, The PreSocratics)

Most people don’t like righteousness in others. They can be quite righteous about it.

Louis Menand, The New Yorker (January 8, 2018)

The conduct of our lives is the true mirror of our doctrine.
 

Michel de Montaigne 

A good man knows when to sacrifice himself.... A bad man survives but loses his soul.

John LeCarre, The Mission Song