We often act treacherously more from weakness than from a fixed motive.

When the philosophers despised riches, it was because they had a mind to vindicate their own merit, and take revenge upon the injustice of fortune by vilifying those enjoyments which she had not given them.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

Our probity is not less at the mercy of fortune than our property.

We are more interested in making others believe we are happy than in trying to be happy ourselves.

Virtue would not make such advances if there were not a little vanity to keep it company.

Perfect Valor is to do, without a witness, all that we could do before the whole world.