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

We often see malefactors, when they are led to execution, put on resolution and a contempt of death which, in truth, is nothing else but fearing to look it in the face--so that this pretended bravery may very truly be said to do the same good office to their mind that the blindfold does to their eyes.

A man would rather say evil of himself than say nothing.

Some people displease with merit, and others' very faults and defects are pleasing.

The man that thinks he loves his mistress for her own sake is mightily mistaken.

A man's wits are better employed in bearing up under the misfortunes that lie upon him at present than in foreseeing those that may come upon him hereafter.

The most subtle of our acts is to simulate blindness for snares that we know are set for us.