All men are equally proud. The only difference is that not all take the same methods of showing it.

It is difficult to like those whom we do not esteem; but it is no less so to like those whom we esteem more than ourselves.

Philosophy finds it an easy matter to vanquish past and future evils, but the present are commonly too hard for it.

The constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self.

A wise man should order his interests, and set them all in their proper places. This order is often troubled by greed, which putsus upon pursuing so many things at once that, in eagerness for matters of less consideration, we grasp at trifles, and let go things of greater value.

Οur own distrust somewhat justifies the deceit of others.

The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising the very goods of which fortune had deprived them; it was a secret to guard themselves against the degradation of poverty, it was a back way by which to arrive at that distinction which they could not gain by riches.