He whose honor depends on the opinion of the mob must day by day strive with the greatest anxiety, act and scheme in order to retain his reputation. For the mob is varied and inconsistent, and therefore if a reputation is not carefully preserved it dies quickly.

No to laugh, not to lament, not to detest, but to understand.

Of all the things that are beyond my power, I value nothing more highly than to be allowed the honor of entering into bonds of friendship with people who sincerely love truth. For, of things beyond our power, I believe there is nothing in the world which we can love with tranquility except such men.

The greatest good is the knowledge of the union which the mind has with the whole nature.

None are more taken in by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the first and are not.

Surely human affairs would be far happier if the power in men to be silent were the same as that to speak.

Love or hatred towards a thing, which we conceive to be free, must, other things being similar, be greater than if it were felt towards a thing acting by necessity.