The good or the bad fortune of men depends not less upon their own dispositions than upon fortune.

Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have met with.

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise those that have no virtue.

We should manage our fortune as we do our health - enjoy it when good, be patient when it is bad, and never apply violent remedies except in an extreme necessity

We torment ourselves rather to make it appear that we are happy than to become so.

Our merit gains us the esteem of the virtuous-our star that of the public.

The qualities we have, make us so ridiculous as those which we affect.