We do not wish ardently for what we desire only through reason.

Fearlessness is a more than ordinary strength of mind, which raises the soul above the troubles, disorders, and emotions which theprospect of great dangers are used to produce. And by this inward strength it is that heroes preserve themselves in a calm and quiet state, and enjoy a presence of mind and the free use of their reason in the midst of those terrible accidents that amaze and confound other people.

Some good qualities are like the senses: Those who are entirely deprived of them can have no notion of them.

Some accidents there are in life that a little folly is necessary to help us out of.

Love has its name borrowed by a great number of dealings and affairs that are attributed to it--in which it has no greater part than the Doge in what is done at Venice.

There is great skill in knowing how to conceal one's skill.

Men would not live in society long if they were not each others dupes.