When we see a natural style, we are astonished and charmed; for we expected to see an author, and we find a person.

We never live, but we hope to live; and as we are always arranging to be happy, it must be that we never are so.

Civil wars are the greatest of evils. They are inevitable, if we wish to reward merit, for all will say that they are meritorious.

Concupiscence and force are the source of all our actions; concupiscence causes voluntary actions, force involuntary ones.

True eloquence makes light of eloquence. True morality makes light of morality.

Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed.

Continuity in everything is unpleasant.