The happiness and unhappiness of men depends as much on their ethics as on fortune.

Weakness is the only fault that is incorrigible.

Nothing hinders a thing from being natural so much as the straining ourselves to make it seem so.

Unfaithfulness ought to extinguish love, and we should not be jealous when there is reason to be. Only those who give no grounds for jealousy are worthy of it.

A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.

Pride indemnifies itself and loses nothing even when it casts away vanity.

Moderation cannot have the credit of combatiug and subduing ambition, they are never found together. Moderation is the languor and indolence of the soul, as ambition is its activity and ardor.