A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.

Generally speaking, we would make a good bargain by renouncing all the good that people say of us, upon condition they would say no ill.

There is merit without rank, but there is no rank without some merit.

How can we be answerable for what we shall want in the future, since we have no clear idea of what we want now?

Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.

A man's wits are better employed in bearing up under the misfortunes that lie upon him at present than in foreseeing those that may come upon him hereafter.