Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.

Jealousy is in some measure just and reasonable, since it merely aims at keeping something that belongs to us or we think belongsto us, whereas envy is a frenzy that cannot bear anything that belongs to others.

The best way to rise in society is to use all possible means of persuading people that one has already risen in society.

Idleness is more an infirmity of the mind than of the body.

People always complain about their memories, never about their minds.

We always get bored with those whom we bore.

It is safer to do most men harm than to do them too much good.