Few friendships would survive if each one knew what his friend says of him behind his back.

The manner in which Epictetus, Montaigne, and Salomon de Tultie wrote, is the most usual, the most suggestive, the most remembered, and the oftener quoted; because it is entirely composed of thoughts born from the common talk of life.

If men knew themselves, God would heal and pardon them.

Unable to make what is just strong, we have made what is strong just.

It is natural for the mind to believe and for the will to love; so that, for want of true objects, they must attach themselves to false.

In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't.

When malice has reason on its side, it looks forth bravely, and displays that reason in all its luster. When austerity and self-denial have not realized true happiness, and the soul returns to the dictates of nature, the reaction is fearfully extravagant.