Those who give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great ones.

We are inconsolable at being deceived by our enemies and being betrayed by our friends, yet we are often content in be being treated like that by our own selves.

We are much mistaken if we think that men are always brave from a principle of valor, or women chaste from a principle of modesty.

Usually we praise only to be praised.

Nature has concealed at the bottom of our minds talents and abilities of which we are not aware.

A wise man should order his interests, and set them all in their proper places. This order is often troubled by greed, which putsus upon pursuing so many things at once that, in eagerness for matters of less consideration, we grasp at trifles, and let go things of greater value.

There are no circumstances, however unfortunate, that clever people do not extract some advantage from.