Truth does less good in the world than its appearances do harm.

Moderation is a fear of falling into that envy and contempt which those who grow giddy with their good fortune quite justly draw upon themselves. It is a vain boasting of the greatness of our mind.

Idleness and constancy fix the mind to what it finds easy and agreeable. This habit always confines and cramps up our knowledge; and no one has ever taken the trouble to stretch and carry his understanding as far as it could go.

A clever man should handle his interests so that each will fall in suitable order of their value.

The older a fool is, the worse he is.

We give advice, we do not inspire conduct.

The good or the bad fortune of men depends not less upon their own dispositions than upon fortune.