We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years.

Honest people will respect us for our merit: the public, for our luck.

The most violent passions sometimes leave us at rest, but vanity agitates us constantly.

It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness. Those who appear gentle are, in general, only a weak character, which easily changes into asperity.

Silence is the best security to the man who distrusts himself.

We often credit ourselves with vices the reverse of what we have, thus when weak we boast of our obstinacy.

It requires greater virtues to support good fortune than bad.