Philosophy easily triumphs over past and future ills; but present ills triumph over philosophy.

We have no patience with other people's vanity because it is offensive to our own.

Intrepidity is an extraordinary strength of soul, which raises it above the troubles, disorders and emotions which the sight of great perils can arouse in it; by this strength heroes maintain a calm aspect and preserve their reason and liberty in the most surprising and terrible accidents.

We are much mistaken if we think that men are always brave from a principle of valor, or women chaste from a principle of modesty.

The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.

Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.

It seems that nature, which has so wisely disposed our bodily organs with a view to our happiness, has also bestowed on us pride, to spare us the pain of being aware of our imperfections.