We often in our misfortunes take that for constancy and patience which is only dejection of mind; we suffer without daring to holdup our heads, just as cowards let themselves be knocked on the head because they have not courage to strike back.

Old people love to give good advice; it compensates them for their inability to set a bad example.

There are certain people fated to be fools; they not only commit follies by choice, but are even constrained to do so by fortune.

The largest ambition has the least appearance of ambition when it meets with an absolute impossibility in compassing its object.

We are never so ridiculous through what we are as through what we pretend to be.

Nothing is given so profusely as advice.

There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men.