Hope, deceiving as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route.

The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good fortune.

The pleasure of love is in the loving; and there is more joy in the passion one feels than in that which one inspires.

Sometimes we think we dislike flattery, but it is only the way it is done that we dislike.

Nothing should lessen our satisfaction with ourselves as much as when we notice that we disapprove of something at one time that we approve of at another time.

Extreme boredom provides its own antidote.

History never embraces more than a small part of reality