Avarice often produces opposite results: there are an infinite number of persons who sacrifice their property to doubtful and distant expectations; others mistake great future advantages for small present interests.

A man is sometimes better off deceived about the one he loves, than undeceived.

What renders us so changeable in our friendship is, that it is difficult to know the qualities of the soul, but easy to know those of the mind.

Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.

Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrust himself.

There is something to be said for jealousy, because it only designs the preservation of some good which we either have or think wehave a right to. But envy is a raging madness that cannot bear the wealth or fortune of others.

The passions are the only orators which always persuade.