Great and glorious events which dazzle the beholder are represented by politicians as the outcome of grand designs whereas they are usually products of temperaments and passions.

Organize one's values in the order of their worth

The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in one's speech.

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

The reason that lovers never weary each other is because they are always talking about themselves.

The esteem of good men is the reward of our worth, but the reputation of the world in general is the gift of our fate.

The vices enter into the composition of the virtues, as poisons into that of medicines. Prudence collects and arranges them, and uses them beneficially against the ills of life.