He is a truly virtuous man who wishes always to be open to the observation of honest men.

When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.

Reason alone is insufficient to make us enthusiastic in any matter.

We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone.

Very few people are acquainted with death. They undergo it, commonly, not so much out of resolution as custom and insensitivity; and most men die because they cannot help it.

There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of.