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

Chance corrects us of many faults that reason would not know how to correct.

Jealousy is in a manner just and reasonable, as it tends to preserve a good which belongs, or which we believe belongs to us, on the other hand envy is a fury which cannot endure the happiness of others.

Our hopes, often though they deceive us, lead us pleasantly along the path of life.

The principal point of cleverness is to know how to value things just as they deserve.

Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind. The good we imitate through emulation, the ill through the malignity of our nature, which shame keeps locked up, but example sets free.

A respectable man may love madly, but not foolishly.