We are easily comforted for the misfortunes of our friends, when those misfortunes give us an occasion of expressing our affection and solicitude.

Fortune cures us of many faults that reason could not.

Fortune turns all things to the advantage of those on whom she smiles.

Those that have had great passions esteem themselves for the rest of their lives fortunate and unfortunate in being cured of them.

Moderation is a fear of falling into that envy and contempt which those who grow giddy with their good fortune quite justly draw upon themselves. It is a vain boasting of the greatness of our mind.

To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them.

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.]