The courage of a great many men, and the virtue of a great many women, are the effect of vanity, shame, and especially a suitabletemperament.

We are lazier in our minds than in our bodies.

People are more slanderous from vanity than from malice.

Absence cools moderate passions, and inflames violent ones; just as the wind blows out candles, but kindles fires.

The generality of friends puts us out of conceit with friendship; just as the generality of religious people puts us out of conceit with religion.

He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time.

Men more easily renounce their interests than their tastes.