What we take for high-mindedness is very often no other than ambition well disguised, that scorns means interests, only to pursuegreater.

There is no accident so unfortunate but wise men will make some advantage of it, nor any so entirely fortunate but fools may turn it to their own prejudice.

It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.

The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception.

Love is one and the same in the original; but there are a thousand different copies of it.

Men are not only prone to forget benefits; they even hate those who have obliged them, and cease to hate those who have injured them. The necessity of revenging an injury, or of recompensing a benefit seems a slavery to which they are unwilling to submit.

Opportunity makes us known to others, but more to ourselves.