Reconciliation with our enemies is simply a desire to better our condition, a weariness of war, or the fear of some unlucky thing from occurring.

Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation. [However disappointment can always be removed if we remember it could have turned out worse.]

It is not always from valor or from chastity that men are brave, and women chaste.

If you cannot find peace in yourself, it is useless to look for it elsewhere.

We get so much in the habit of wearing disguises before others that we finally appear disguised before ourselves.

There is a sort of love whose very excessiveness prevents the lover's being jealous.

There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.