Moderation cannot have the credit of combatiug and subduing ambition, they are never found together. Moderation is the languor and indolence of the soul, as ambition is its activity and ardor.

Those who are themselves incapable of great crimes are ever backward to suspect others.

The cunningest dissimulation is when a man pretends to be caught in the traps others set for him; and a man is never so easily over-reached as when he is contriving to over-reach others.

The thing that makes our friendships so short and changeable is that the qualities and dispositions of the soul are very hard to know, and those of the understanding and wit very easy.

The strongest symptom of wisdom in man is his being sensible of his own follies.

In love the deceit generally outstrips the distrust.

The fame of great men ought to be judged always by their big, fancy names.